After years of travelling the world, nomadic rapper Clandestina has seen it all; the good, the bad and the political. She channels every scrap of that experience into her latest offering, the furious yet tender ‘Politically Erect.’ The six track EP feels every bit as cultured as her, taking aim at everything from the patriarchy to climate change.
Opener ‘Don’t Quit’ fires straight out the gate with rapid, incendiary lines on the systemic oppression perpetuated by the US. It seemingly weaponises Southern-style Trap beats with melodic pop piano stabs to tear down power dynamics – ‘the revolution can’t be without you so don’t quit’ feels like a mission statement for the entire EP.
‘Man-Made’ pairs a syncopated piano line with a heavy hip-hop drum pattern. ‘My adolescence listed all my conquests in numbers’ tears into hookup culture, and the expectations of women; it feels empathetic towards the socialisation of either side, rather than piling in on standards. It’s an immensely personal cut – ‘I got tired of seeing brothers drowning in levity and sorrow’ seems directly drawn from seeing how patriarchy makes everyone suffer.
While the first two tracks open the EP swinging, ‘Hymns to a child I love’ allows its lyricism to breathe a cappella – at points, seemingly borrowing from Bjork’s approach on ‘Medulla’ to allow the nakedness of her voice to starkly display lyrics of ‘pain is pleasure with a twist.’ While follower ‘Soldiers’ is similar in delivery, its vocal effect echoes military speakers – subverting the expectations of a jingoistic loudspeaker announcement of killing to instead offer a message of love and compassion.
After a brief reprieve, the anger is back and seems inconsolable on ‘Bigger Than Paris.’ It utilises Juice Wrld-style production, with a looping guitar line buried beneath snare-heavy hip-hop drums. Listing off natural disasters on every continent, it emphasises the universality of the climate crisis: it is up to all of us to change it.
Closer ‘Landet Istid’ is all syncopated salsa, with deep, bass-heavy piano notes to create something chronically danceable, notably the only track in Clandestina’s native Swedish. It feels as globalised as Rosalia’s approach to pop, and closes what is quite an intense listen on a positive note; a reminder to dance through the pain.
While intense in subject matter and delivery, Clandestina’s artistry is undeniable – blending a myriad of influences from each continent she’s spent time in. This globalised take on music allows her political indignation to shine through, and emphasises what we all know; these issues are less personal than we think. We must all become ‘Politically Erect’ before it’s too late.
PR: DECENT MUSIC PR