REVIEW: NYIKO Describes the Results of Impulsive Lust on New Single, “Sugar”
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY MARIAH ESTRAN ☆
NOT EVERYTHING SUGARY IS SWEET—Singer-songwriter and producer NYIKO reminds us through the entrancing, new single, “Sugar.”
Known for his stylish blend of synth-wave, pop-punk and dark-wave production, NYIKO continues to embrace the captivating nostalgia his discography holds, “Sugar” being the latest testament. Within seconds, you’re drawn into a story of intense lust spiraling into toxic tendencies. The wave of potent bass surrounds a build-up of synths that unveils the tangled emotions the song encompasses.
“To me, ‘Sugar’ is about temptation and control. It’s what happens when lust overrides logic—when something looks sweet on the surface but rots you from the inside,” NYIKO shares about the track.
The track maintains undeniable tension as the dark ambiance permeates with the synth-pop layers. It perfectly coincides with the complicated stages of attraction, suddenly revealing a side of detachment.
The lyrics, “You take the call late at night / You don’t need to ask if it’s alright,” reveal the story of confection-like feelings going sour.
Produced and written by NYIKO, listeners enter a space that has become a sincere reflection of love wrapped in sentimental soundscapes. “Sugar” is an expression of a modern-love conundrum. It fits perfectly into the thoughtful catalog NYIKO has designed over the last few years.
Those thoughtful themes continue, even within the corresponding music video. Shot by Peter Donaghy (DONSLENS) and edited by Erik Saevi, it displays two people failing to connect within a seductive, red-hued encounter. The visual even includes shots of bubble gum wrappers branded with the word “Sugar”.
As the final shot rolls in, crumpled foil appears in the frame. Like the fading flavor of your favorite bubble gum, some moments, even though sweet, are just temporary.
