Emerging from New Hampshire, AVDREY's 'The Caged' Tackles Manipulation and Liberation with Unmatched Musical Grace.
There's something all-consuming and thought-provoking about dark pop, especially when the production is dark, slow and minimal. AVDREY goes further in 'The Caged' by adding angelically sweet vocals with heartwrenching lyricism. As the song develops, the instrumentation remains somewhat slow and calm, but the vocal range and execution soars, offering listeners a lot more than first anticipated.
The song develops in the third part, bringing the emotiveness of speedy violins and the drums. In terms of production quality, the song is top-notch, nothing is lacking, it has it all if you're into dark pop and more stripped-back productions that aren't acoustic, but feel like they're floating within their realm. It's airy, light, and free...but the words, the words come from a place of entrapment. Overcoming manipulation and gaslighting within a toxic relationship is what this song is about. The feeling of eventual liberation of someone who was once trapped in the claws of a narcissistic partner rings throughout the lyrics.
The making of 'The Caged' and the entire "4AM" EP highlights AVDREY's perseverance and passion for music. Despite the adversity of being involved in two car crashes during the EP's production, she emerged more determined, viewing the project's completion as a major personal and professional victory. Recorded at Audio Alchemist Studios in New York with the close collaboration of Grammy award-winning producer Ryan West, and featuring contributions from friends Charles Henry Volk on drums and Brandon Brown on electric guitar, the EP on the whole embodies a journey through AVDREY's early adulthood.
On the release, AVDREY states "I will always and forever be the most proud of this song and this EP, no matter the music I release in the future. It's raw and real, and it was there for me when I needed it the most."
So, what's the verdict? Well, I think this release is stunning from start to end note. A lot is going on throughout but it feels flawless and transitions so smoothly. The vocals are great, the compliment yet juxtaposes the narrative. Angelic yet troubling, this song really does have everything you need when freeing yourself from a toxic relationship. Relatable and highly emotive, 'The Caged' ironically offers freedom more than entrapment to its listeners.
Genres: Pop, Commercial Pop, Alt Pop
Mood: Reflective, Resilient
You can follow them through the links below to never miss a beat
Like what you heard? Then you'll like the sound of this - Click Below