REVIEW: Strongboi Swoons on Halloween with New Single “favorite place,” from ‘ep 1’
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY NICO CHODOR ☆
Photo by River Carothers
WHAT BEGAN AS THEIR LO-FI DREAM—of primarily using keys has turned into honey-smooth, jazz-inspired instrumental bounty—and lots of wigs. Strongboi is the combined brain power of Berlin-based duo Alice Phoebe Lou and Ziv Yamin. They opened for Men I Trust this past spring and toured their new EP ep 1 this November with shows in Bristol, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Paris Pitchfork Festival.
Featuring saxophone and flute from Paulo Guolo, strongboi’s most recent single “favorite place” is nothing short of lovely. Lou reaches especially divine heights on this one, just the week after releasing her sixth solo album Oblivion, also recorded with strongboi collaborators Yamin and Dekel Adin. Contrary to the feeling of disconnect she laments on Oblivion’s “Mind Reader,” ep 1 finds her smitten. “I wanna read your mind,” she admits on “favorite place,” almost bashfully. “Don't bring me down," she says, “now’s not the time for reality.” Lou basks in the warmth of another, surrounded by woodwinds, drum machines and sweet-like-sugar keys.
Head in the clouds, she closes her eyes midway through the song and crosses her fingers, willing this person to stay and be real, not just a trick of the light. Avoidant attachment dissolves quickly, however, as she breaks through previously conceived defenses in the chorus. Strongboi wants to be filled with love, and this track flirts accordingly. Recorded at Thump Studios in Queens, New York, and completed at La Pot studio in Berlin, this EP is no trick, despite its release date.
Alice and Ziv turn their back on relationship anxiety this Halloween. ep 1 is a dream, and strongboi has so much more to show you soon.
