Makeup’s debut EP, aptly titled “Divine Fashion,” presents a compelling exploration of a unique and captivating aesthetic that transcends mere musical categorization. Drawing inspiration from contemporary pop culture and Christian iconography, the project crafts a sonic landscape that is both deeply atmospheric and conceptually rich. The reviews rightly point to the EP’s ability to navigate diverse sonic territories, from intimate, introspective spaces to the pulsating energy of club environments, all unified by a distinct stylistic vision.
This “divine fashion” is not simply a title; it’s a guiding principle that permeates the entire EP. It suggests a deliberate construction of image and sound, where the ethereal and the earthly intertwine. The music itself embodies this concept, characterized by its downtempo rhythms, heavy synth textures, and haunting vocal samples. These elements combine to create an atmosphere that is both brooding and beautiful, evoking a sense of otherworldly elegance and a sophisticated darkness.
Critics have noted the potent combination of musical elements that define this aesthetic. GoldFlakePaint highlights the “brilliantly punchy” basslines that drive the tracks and the “odd vocal cuts” that add a layer of intrigue and emotional depth to the “industrial musical backdrops.” Exclaim accurately places the EP within the realm of “witch house,” praising producer Jahani’s expertise in crafting “brooding, haunted, molasses-y electronic” sounds. Inverted Audio emphasizes the conceptual vision, noting the marriage of “downtempo, synth heavy, atmospheric production with conceptual vision; inspired by contemporary pop culture and Christian iconography.” These descriptions collectively paint a picture of a carefully constructed sound that is both sonically engaging and conceptually resonant with the idea of “divine fashion.”
The term “divine fashion” itself evokes a fascinating juxtaposition. “Divine” suggests the sacred, the ethereal, and the transcendent, while “fashion” implies the temporal, the constructed, and the stylistic. This tension is at the heart of Makeup’s EP, where the music seems to strive for a kind of elevated style, a sonic couture that is both deeply felt and meticulously crafted. It’s an aesthetic that borrows from the visual language of religious art and iconography, translating it into a contemporary musical context.
Ultimately, “Divine Fashion” is more than just a collection of tracks; it’s an auditory embodiment of a distinct aesthetic vision. It invites listeners to explore a world where sound and style converge, where the dark and the beautiful coexist, and where the lines between the earthly and the ethereal become elegantly blurred. The EP stands as a testament to the power of music to create not just sound, but a fully realized and compelling artistic universe centered around this captivating “divine fashion.”
