Frost Children's 'SPEED RUN' Is an Omnivorous Look at Music's Bold, Unafraid Future
Photo: Frost Children
Hyperpop wunderkind duo Frost Children, comprised of siblings Angel and Lulu Prost, continue to get our blood pumping with the release of their new album, SPEED RUN. The adrenaline-infused 11-track body of work is a barrage of endorphin-releasing music that explores the highs and lows of love and life wrapped in avant-garde pop sonics.
The record opener, "COUP," begins with an almost ethereal instrumental intro. Then, Angel's vocals usher the listener into a world of otherworldly synths before launching them into a complex plane of sonic existence. Beats and instrumentation drenched in glitter and oxytocin hook us in and demand our attention, prepping us for an acid trip of an album-listening experience.
The foundation of the previously released "FLATLINE" is built on a pounding, squelching house beat and vocals that oscillate between misty bedroom-pop and quasi-rap chanting. In addition, there's an assortment of racing alien drums, police sirens, and short-circuiting buzzes. Between the track's pulsating bass signals, mechanical production, and harmonious vocal layers, "FLATLINE" is simultaneously high-energy, hypnotic, and oozing with personality... and Yoshi sounds. As the track enters its final act, synth patterns briefly take center stage before Frost Children erupt, screaming their lyrics with fiery rage. "Cut the shit, are you fucking with me?" I hope not, Frost Children. "Step away, I can feel your disease!"
"SICK TRIP" and "ALL I GOT" are perfect for new listeners of the pair who are dipping their toes into club-ready hyperpop. With pulsing beats and addictive vocals that inspire dancing like no one is watching, the glossy tunes pull the listener further into a world of experimental soundscapes the duo craft with reckless and gleeful abandon. "'ALL I GOT' is Frost Children's radio-ready single designed for maximum listenability," Lulu and Angel Prost shared in a statement. "At this moment, 'ALL I GOT' is the Universal Tune, and you should be comforted by its all-encompassing ubiquity. It's everything you want and everything you need."
"HI 5" is a gorgeous, hi-fi track that blends the world of hyperpop and rap into a radio-friendly beat reminiscent of everything Y2K. Filled with memorable lyrics like, "I'll sing this shit 'til you sing along," and "I don't even give a fuck if you get it wrong," the track is a bright-eyed effort that scratches your brain in the best way. The siblings shared in a statement, "'HI 5' is like breathing, a simple exercise, an internal victory lap in which all your cells congratulate each other in unison."
Other notable tracks on the album include the raging "OBSESSED" and "SERPENT," both of which feature mosh-inducing guitar riffs, crashing percussion, and face-melting screams. Listeners should also take a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship of "LET IT BE" featuring EXUM and "ANGEL'S THOUGHTS." Both are, for lack of a better word, simply mind-blowing.
The album's focus track, "WONDERLAND," is a sweetly whimsical love song full of soft vocals and adoring lyrics. Angel sings of her "babydoll," hoping to "hold her hand" and "take it slow." The tender tune also features the talents of Blaketheman1000 and May Rio, adding texture to the breezy ballad, making it a dynamic breath of fresh air in a high-octane record full of intricate layers of Alice In Wonderland-themed lyrics, lilting piano lines, and head-bobbing beats. The album's closer, "NOTICE ME," featuring 8485, is a five-minute magnum opus that finishes the listener's journey through the proverbial rabbit hole with passionate, iridescent vocals, celestial synths, and delicate instrumentation, ending on one hell of a chaotic, angst-fueled mind trip.
SPEED RUN, and by proxy Frost Children, are the future of hyperpop and whatever comes next. The album is omnivorous in its influences, slinging the listener between the worlds of pop, screamo, glitchcore, and even video game samples. Later this month, the duo begin a string of US tour dates. This includes headlining dates, co-headlines with labelmates Model/Actriz, and supporting slots for Yves Tumor.
Listen to SPEED RUN below:
