Review
Only seven months after the release of her album Birth of Venus, Banshee has unveiled a brand-new EP BACKSTABBER offering her fans an even deeper dive into her spellbinding universe.
Banshee, real name Rachel Dorothea Knight, is an artist distinguished by her dark, dreamlike melodic sound. Known for her signature style of ‘fairy metal‘ (also the title of one of her songs), the singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Banshee skilfully blends trap, hyperpop, edm, black metal and witch house into her productions, creating mesmerizing and uplifting sounds. Alongside her unique musical approach, her soothing, angelic voice plunges us into an entirely different reality. Her lyrics, at times confrontational and aggressive, relate her experiences and speak of the misogyny and abuse she has suffered in the metal scene, once again setting her apart from a field where it can be quite difficult to carve out a place for oneself.
This latest EP is no exception. Kicking off with the track ‘BACKSTABBER‘, Banshee gets off to a gentle start with 80s sounds and an upbeat rhythm and chords. The embittered lyrics about betrayal are softened by a melody that reflects the artist’s delicate voice.
The EP’s second track, ‘I may be a doe..‘, explores themes of inner strength and resilience in the face of obstacles. Successfully blending delicacy and bravery, Banshee reclaims the image of the seemingly soft and vulnerable doe, while asserting her courage. The melody retains this light-hearted essence in contrast to Banshee’s firm, independent and assertive lyrics.
In this third track, ‘Cry me a river.‘, Banshee seems to explore the theme of pain in the face of abandonment, and the acceptance of that rejection. Speaking about a person who abandoned her and forced her to “drown” in his suffering, as well as in the consequences emanating from this relationship, Banshee reappropriates in the track the weaknesses she tells us about, ultimately revealing that she will never let herself be overwhelmed again. Here, by revealing that she can “breathe underwater”, the artist asserts that she possesses a certain unexpected strength, symbolically a form of survival instinct when faced with her enemy. The lyrics “I’m in love with the water” may also symbolize Banshee’s acceptance of everything she has been through. In my opinion, there’s an underlying tension in this track. Starting out almost explosive, there’s a certain buried rage just waiting to be expressed. The music here appears to be in a state of suspended animation, latent and repetitive, possibly symbolizing the relational pattern it evokes in its lyrics.
‘I trusted you.‘, the penultimate track on the BACKSTABBER EP, completes the procession on the theme of betrayal. Referring more to the emotional impact a betrayal can have, Banshee beautifully manages to put into words this feeling of trust ultimately betrayed. Highlighting the complexity of human relationships, Banshee hits the nail on the head with its emphasis on the realization phase following a confrontation. Comparing itself to an object of curiosity, it succeeds in aptly describing the fog in which we can find ourselves before reality catches up with us in this kind of situation.
‘VULTURES.‘, the EP’s most listened-to track to date, is for me the finest example of Banshee’s signature style, combining scream and delicacy, and concluding her journey with the question of betrayal. Using a new metaphor for those who feed on and take advantage of others, Banshee warns us against those vultures who continually seek to take advantage of our kindness. Above all, the lyrics evoke one person’s relentless struggle in a world where anyone is capable of sacrificing their integrity to get what they want, no matter how damaging those choices may be for others. Rather than being a warning, this song is a fine invitation to reflect on the need to remain attentive to the hidden dangers of human relationships.
In conclusion, although the general theme of BACKSTABBER may seem rather repetitive, it remains quite interesting to analyze from different angles. This latest opus also allows us to learn more about what Banshee may have gone through, as well as her resentments. This captivating work is a pretty good summary of her world, a kind of fine introduction to her intoxicating musical universe and trenchant lyrics.
For fans of : Ashnikko, Poppy, Violent Vira, Original God