Today, Los Angeles artist Saro has released his sophomore EP, a tightly-wound, stunning collection of songs titled Boy Afraid, released via Saro's own label, Mateo Sound.
The EP is a bold step forward in establishing Saro's signature pop-noir in a singular league of its own, recognized by Rolling Stone aptly naming Saro among their top 'New Artists You Need To Know' for November 2017. From start to finish, the EP fearlessly delves into themes of personal introspection, love (and the lack thereof), as well as the deep disillusionment ailing society today. As Saro detailed in an exclusive interview with
OUT, he describes, "Yes, there are relationship references riddled throughout the songs but Boy Afraid deals more with the relationship I'm nurturing with myself."
Broadly, Boy Afraid mirrors Saro's development as a matured songwriter and musician, focusing heightened attention on self-realization and the rejection of life's cruelties. Saro describes, "I was a bit of a vagabond while recording this EP...I stayed with friends all over the city and sometimes even slept at the studio." The resulting string of tracks are the counterbalance of this state of inconsistency, which Saro notes, "could be the reason most of the songs on Boy Afraid adhere to a traditional song structure."
Today's EP release is the culmination of a whirlwind 2017, boasting a string of singles that have dotted the summer and fall. Down-tempo, pulsing track "Sky Doesn't Blue" kicked off the new EP alongside a gorgeous concept performance
visual, showcasing Saro's portrayal of the song through emotive lyrical dance. "Eyelids" focuses Saro's sound through a fresh new noir disco edge with NYLON praising Saro's ability to incorporate "the idea of rejection through the lens of two perspectives-the 'attached' and 'detached'-unpacking the emotional weight felt by both sides of a one-sided relationship." "Vapor"followed, pulling Saro's sonic dexterity into the spotlight straddling a line of neo-R&B and intricate electronic elements, while title track "Boy Afraid" puts Saro's lush tenor on full display while taking a figurative dig at societal constructs and media-driven expectation.
Rounding out Boy Afraid is the elegantly minimalistic "Sardonic," which debuted yesterday with This Song Is Sick
here. Lined with sweeping synths and poignant lyricism, Saro notes this is "the only song that I started on the piano by my lonesome."
2017 also saw Saro featured as a guest vocalist (alongside Broods & Reggie Watts) on the new single "Stranded" by Australian producer duo Flight Facilities. The track premiered with
Zane Lowe and can be streamed now
here.
In Loving Memory, Saro's debut EP released in December 2016, set the stage for his steady rise, firmly establishing him as a force to be reckoned with. Featuring his first two hit singles
"Test" and
"Looking," the Robin Hannibal executive-produced EP explores the various stages of mourning. This deeply cathartic work saw widespread critical acclaim including Pigeons and Planes, who lauded its, "polished production, sweet melodies, and hooks fit for anthems."
In Loving Memory was released alongside a full visual EP experience of original videos for each of the EP's 7 tracks. See the Full EP visual
HERE.
Saro first debuted his live show early 2017 and has since played several LA dates, SXSW, and Brooklyn's Northside Festival (supporting Miguel) which have received critical acclaim from outlets such as
Buzzbands LA,
DoLA,
Billboard, and
FLAUNT. Saro is currently on a U.S. west coast run of dates, will play Houston's Day For Night Festival this weekend, and will kick off 2018 with a San Francisco show for 'Popscene.' Full upcoming dates below:
Fri, Dec 15 // Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
Sun, Dec 17 // Houston, TX @ Day For Night Festival
Fri, Jan 5 // San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop (Popscene)
Immerse yourself in the murky depths of Saro's sophomore EP Boy Afraid now at the links below and keep your eyes peeled for more to come from Saro early 2018; he's running full speed ahead.
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