Watch our interview with Gus Dapperton below!
Alt-pop artist Gus Dapperton has unveiled his hotly-anticipated third studio album, HENGE. We caught up with the musician to chat about building a world on the album, the evolution of his artistry, expanding his sound and so much more!
Taking a conceptual approach, HENGE documents a night in New York City that opens a new underworld as the sun goes down with its opener, Sunset. Introducing us to the 80’s new-wave and 70’s funk sonic palette within an alt-pop sphere, the track builds to a face-melting drop that slams you with a frenzied synth section before twisting funk sonics fuelled by a simmering bass line. From the outset, it's clear that this journey through the night will be a stimulating adventure.
The albums duality sits itself in the space between life and death, change and chaos and love and loss. Retaining the signature intimacy and introspection laced within his lyricism, HENGE is a natural progression from Dapperton's adored sophomore album, Orca. A central thread that runs throughout the body of work is human connection through a shapeshifting viewfinder. Meanwhile, his vocals have never sounded better. Darting between polished performances and his inimitable rawer tones, Dapperton's vocals never falter.
Furthermore, the albums soundscapes move between disco bops, alt-pop gems and indie-meets-bedroom pop sensibilities. Dynamic and textural synth work unfurl throughout, fuelled by engaging guitars and funky bass lines. Homebody is quite possibly the greatest alt-pop song of 2023 with its ear-worm melodies and Dapperton's flawless falsetto. He teams up once again with BENEE on Don't Let Me Down, and enlists new collaborators Cruel Santino and critically acclaimed poet Ocean Vuong on Lights and Sunrise respectively. Serving as the albums closer, Sunrise brings us to the break of daylight with a mesmerising spoken word performance from Vuong.
Henge is out now!
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