Disco Shrine-Up In The Air
Disco Shrine, the LA based Electro artist delivers this onslaught of visual delights; ‘Up In The Air’. The song is currently only available as a visual piece until 26th January next year and is the first of many planned releases from this stunning artist.
Jessica Delijani was born and raised in LA but is of Iranian descent. In fact, the song ‘Up In The Air’ is a striking and symbolic representation of the strife and struggle that Jessica’s family faced upon fleeing Iran during the 1978 Iranian Revolution. Flying ‘Up In The Air’ to a new and hope filled land of promise, escaping persecution and oppression.
The introductory sounds of this stunning visual piece are of Disco Shrine’s hand pushing a VHS cassette tape into an old TopLoader or something (awesome!) and is very quickly met by a trove of layered, beautifully produced drum and melody hook tracks. It’s a very modern electro pop sound from the off and although very modern and highly produced, a lovely 80’s feel somehow engulfs the whole song, marrying up nicely to the old ‘BetaMax’ video player visuals we can see.
“Your freedom was there, then they came and stole it”
“This song is about my parents immigrating to America from Iran after escaping the Iranian revolution in the 70’s. “Up in the air” paints a picture of them literally up in the air on their plane ride over to America, leaving the past behind and looking towards their new future. It’s also symbolic of their whole lives suddenly being up in the air, uncertain, and not knowing what to expect at all. It’s more so in my mothers perspective and the strength she had to leave her whole life behind to bring a better life for her children and family. ” – Jessica Delijani (Disco Shrine)
Disco Shrine has such a lovely voice and it’s always nicer to spend time enjoying a beautiful and tone rich voice when the lyrics have depth and meaning. And these lyrics really do.
A nice and simple set of 808 drum and snare samples carry on throughout the piece which I did feel could have been developed further. Perhaps a little fill every 8 or 16 bars to break it up a bit, but on the other hand it does have a more minimal feel to it so the jury is still out. The vocal track has a lovely radio effect on it throughout the song also, I really enjoyed this element to piece as it adds a revolutionary feel which suits.
Aside from all the muso stuff and actual reviewing content here, Disco Shrine is hot – there I said it. And cool, and the video is cool too. And without being too much of a fan girl, I feel like the song, video and theme are that cleverly thought out and have that much depth associated to them that I wouldn’t be surprised if Disco Shrine became somewhat of a house hold name in years to come.
You heard it here on Musik Magazine first folks!
Words Craig Hopkinson
