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X.ARI is a queer Canadian artist based in Los Angeles whose sound moves between alt-pop, electronic, indie, cinematic, and emo, built around turning “pain into power.” Her new single ‘Don’t Look Down,’ launched in May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a big part of her ethos and mission as an artist. Set to be a component of her upcoming 11th EP, Hello There Inner Child, this is a record purely for the fans. Though those among us who come to her for her storytelling abilities might be left out a bit on this one, it’s well worth a listen.
Sound and Production
While the alternative-pop song drives along at a stately 73 BPM, its adagio essence is still infused with her unique energy. This can be attributed to the genius of Liam Geddes. The style here is geared toward modern pop audiences without losing its underground feel. The track plays like a mix of ‘All The Things She Said’-era t.A.T.u. merged with the ethereal strains of peak Evanescence.
What sets X.ARI apart here is the record’s seemingly unpolished, raw vibe – if you didn’t know any better, you’d think you were in a time machine that took you back to your favorite punk-pop era (early 2000s, of course).
Performance and Vocals
X.ARI’s vocals here are stretched to their considerable limits. This gives the record a vibrato energy that’s a pleasure to listen to. Though somewhat rare for her, the simplistic stutter of the rhythm allows her to carry her vocals with incredible power. They’re left front-and-center, not hiding behind the beat. This choice makes the song work as well as it does. Nobody will be able to say she can’t hold a full-throated note after giving this a listen.
Lyrics and Songwriting
The songwriting here offers a glimpse of true inspiration, but there isn’t quite enough to carry the whole song. When she describes the feelings of ‘no balance, gripped talons, calloused on a tightrope,’ we are left with no doubt about her meaning. Even so, that doesn’t seem to be the point of this song. The message in this track is summed up in its title — ‘Don’t Look Down.’ This is an undeniably defiant call to courage. The message carries clear and true in the rhythmic chant of the refrain laced throughout the track’s 2:34 runtime.
To be honest, any more might have been too much.
We love her writing, but this isn’t the track that showcases her verbal flourish. This is a rough-hewn rock meant to burst through the dull hum of your day-to-day casual listening.
Assessment
What works here, unquestionably, is confidence. X.ARI is fully committed to the raw, unpolished take, and that rawness carries more weight than a slicker mix would. What doesn’t land is ambition. This record is built to be felt in under three minutes, not to say anything new about courage.
Final Verdict
This song is not going to change your life, but it might just make your day. It is rightfully destined for any healthy hype playlist worth its file size. If you’re a fan of uplifting, shout-it-loud music, you’ll love it. If you’re more in search of deep philosophizing in your X.ARI music, you’ll be better served elsewhere