The electro-pop and indie-pop genres have a fresh face on the scene with lilac frog ushering in a unique sound infusing visually engaging storytelling. Real name Harri Hocking, this nineteen-year-old artist has recently released a captivating new album “lilac pond”. Now on major streaming platforms, the album has been met with rave reviews, particularly for its impeccable mixing and mastering, and the noteworthy collaborations with artists such as ‘undy’ and ‘Mia Robson’.
‘lilac pond‘ is a masterclass in authentic and eccentric music production. The album kicks off with ‘When Gravity Isn’t Looking,’ captivating listeners with its signature sound and highlighting lilac frog’s artistic prowess. The journey continues with the genre-bending ‘Paint the Sky (What I Can’t Have),’ a track that melds pulsating synthwave vibes with ethereal female vocals, establishing the artist as a significant force in the electro-pop and indie-pop arena.
‘How the Curtain Closes’ stands out as one of the album’s most distinct songs. In this track, lilac frog brilliantly demonstrates his ability to balance minimal production with rich layering, filling the soundscape in a way typically seen in seasoned artists. This track, among others, exemplifies lilac frog’s enviable versatility and suggests a significant growth potential for this young artist.
We were also enthralled by other tracks like ‘Blood In the Water,’ ‘Never Change,’ ‘In My Mind,’ and ‘See Straight Through Me.’ ‘Blood In the Water’ brings a cinematic and darker feel to the album, more dark and aggressive, showcasing lilac frog’s range in production and songwriting. ‘In My Mind’ is a four-minute treat, with its clean production and a harmonious mix of keys, vocals, and subtle pads.
The album rounds out with ‘See Straight Through Me’ and ‘Happy Ending.’ sending listeners on a nostalgic journey with strong synths and compelling vocals, and concludes with the soulful ‘Until Next Time (Diving Under).’ This final track is a reflective piece, beautifully combining piano chords, pads, and minimal percussion, leaving listeners in a serene state of longing for more of lilac frog’s enchanting music.
The journey to being lilac frog started early into Hocking’s childhood with the discovery of Garageband on the family iPad. The musician experimented with loops and ideas, gradually honing his skills in music production. Fast forward to 2022, Hocking reinvented his musical image multiple times, before settling on the eccentrically appealing and authentic lilac frog project, which has grown to represent his idiosyncratic style.
Harri Hocking takes each listener on a unique journey, dealing with personal narratives and conjuring immersive storytelling within a 3.5-minute time frame. The imaginative world of the lilac frog is embodied in the album, offering listeners an escape, but also a place to breathe and reflect. Every song in “lilac pond” tells a part of the story and fans are encouraged to piece it together to get the whole picture.
Riding on the wave of the album’s success, Hocking now plans to take a short break to gear up for future music projects. The artist is thoughtful about avoiding burnout and as such, continuous work is going on behind the scenes, priming fans for new releases in 2024.
Born and raised in the South West of England, Hocking writes, produces, and records all music from a quaint bedroom studio, releasing under the colorful alias of lilac frog. The character is at the center of all releases which present riveting electronic indie pop sounds that carry with them, the distinct lilac frog stamp of approval.
Understanding the drive behind lilac frog’s music is crucial for a wholehearted appreciation of the artist and his work. The debut album “lilac pond”, not only serves as a bridge to get to this destination, but it is also an evocative invitation to listeners to dive into the vast, visually enchanting realm of lilac frog.
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