By Cynthia Gross
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D.C.-based genre-bending artist Nazariff released his new dream pop single, “Should Have,” today, December 17. The experimental track, which incorporates trap, future bass, and industrial genres, explores themes of longing, betrayal, and regret. Anchored by curated soundscapes and dark piano, “Should Have” is a moving work of art that immediately makes listeners feel deeply emotional and quintessentially human.
Nazariff is the stage name for Rodger Edmonds, a rising musician, producer, and DJ, who has helped shape the sound of a growing number of area hip-hop, rock, and pop artists, adding his signature ambient blend, which is equally moody and alluring. Nazariff’s DJ sets have been featured at major showcases, including Dreamscape and Nightmare Festival.
When asked for his favorite genre out of an array of music influences, Nazariff shared, “Metal would probably be my first love, as you can kinda tell visually. Trap is my second, and pop is my third.”
Nazariff composed “Should Have” after receiving vocals from a writer he collaborated with in the past. “During the process of listening to the acapella, I composed a dreamy piano ballad to complement the lyrics. Finally, I added core elements of future bass for both drops but made differences between the two. The first is energetic and free feeling, the second is a little more dark and menacing. To me, that reflected the two separate emotions the lyrics carry,” he explained.
“Put my favorite dress, I’m waiting for you to see me / But your eyes never saw all the way I did,” the protagonist sings in the opening lines of the song before the memorable motif “love before” takes center stage and ushers in the tension between the song sections that Nazariff described.
When asked for the inspiration behind “Should Have,” Nazariff kept some of the specifics close and fittingly so. His music is meant to stir thought-provoking emotions. By keeping the inner details at bay, Nazariff effectively leaves space for audiences to experience “Should Have” fully by challenging them to overlay their own meaning onto the enigmatic track.
Fans of RL Grime, Alice Glass, and Ghostemane will identify with Nazariff’s mesmerizing sonic compositions that underscore the beauty of blurring the lines to create fresh sounds and cathartic experiences. Stay tuned for Nazariff’s upcoming five-track EP scheduled to drop early next year.
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Cynthia Gross is a freelance writer and award-winning spiritual pop artist based in Maryland. With more than a decade of experience as an executive ghostwriter, she understands the power of each individual’s voice to create positive, meaningful change.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
