ONE:FIFTY – XTC

Damn, this starts ice-cold. You gotta love this dark, unforgiving atmosphere that is created by the new release of Berlin based Hip Hop/Dark Pop Duo ONE:FIFTY. The dark-metallic textures create a dark and rainy alleyway that contains more shadows than light, feels cold and lost. If you’re walking there, you took some wrong turns. Plus, the tune manages to let the thermometer drop several degrees.

The secret weapon of ‘XTC’ lies in the colorful storytelling. With a calm methodical approach, the tune tells as much pictures as it does music. The video coming along the track is just one of the endless possibilities the story goes here. But heck, it’s an intense one as well. You gotta love this almost oddworld-ish vibe present in those scenes.

The description of the german producers states that “XTC is a metaphorical representation of toxic temptation. Similar to a drug, love can be beautiful but can also deliver us to our darkest lows. Both can make us addicted and transport us into a state where we are constantly searching for the next high. Emotional dependency makes us forget our own limits, in order to help others. Sometimes it can be difficult to let go of a loved one, even if they are only causing you pain. Sometimes it is easier to keep holding on.” Remember the dark alley the song created for me? Every word of the song’s intention can be transposed into said scenario.

Long story short: this is not just music. It’s a huge amount of wisdom and first-hand experience wrapped in feelable melody and groove-loaded rhythm.  

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