In her most recent single, “clarity,” Sydney-based artist nik. takes herself on an intimate journey of self-discovery and existential questioning. The songstress has painted a sonic environment that perfectly combines some dark-pop characteristics with a kind of soulful R&B vibe, something that makes the release as hauntingly interesting as it is entrancingly captivating, submerging listeners deeply into their emotions.
This melodious, introspective song opens with the line “it’s subtle how you find yourself, exactly where you don’t want to be,” instantly opening the floodgates to all reflection about life gone awry. This was a defining moment of her life: just before hitting the age of 30, ushering in a deluge of expectations and self-induced pressures. Hence, the universal struggle that she articulates is between social expectation and one’s personal desire: a theme relating to any person who has felt the weight of other people’s expectations.
Very much like the one strongly iconic in its metaphor usage from The Matrix, choosing between the ‘blue pill’ or the ‘red pill’ by nik., it describes the urge to be in a comfort zone against taking the brave leap into an unknown, looking for purpose. This makes along with her evocative lyrics powerful, thought-provoking, deeply relatable stories.
‘clarity’ is a soundscape of ethereal harmonies and inciting beats. She pulls from the likes of Billie Eilish, Vera Blue, and Ariana Grande, but one finds her towering a haunting vocal performance over this lush production really immersing you within her world. The track is produced in a complicated yet personal way, leaving so much room for the soulful voice of nik to shine with emotional depth.
The vision for nik.’s “clarity” goes so much further than just telling her story; it is in creating a portal where everyone listening, and especially women, will be seen and heard. She aspires to have people rid themselves of the weights they are carrying, embracing that spirit through her story. It’s a strong message packed into a hauntingly beautiful melody, which remains with you long after the last note fades.
As an artist, nik. penetrates into deep and exposed feelings, writing them into music that could be so real, could relate to anybody, forms a skill. Marrying evocative lyricism with mesmerising melodies and lush production, she creates an enchanting sonic artwork that weaves seamlessly into your heartstrings. Her music resonates with a wide variety of musical influences, from Billie Eilish to Celine Dion—much like that of her own boundless creativity and soulful introspection.
“clarity” is an open invitation into the depth of nik.’s soul, imploringly told with haunting storytelling and resonating emotion that calls listeners to search within for their own identities and ways within the greater labyrinth of life. With this single, she joins the ranks of those not afraid to plunge into the maelstroms of human experience and resurface with a sound both chillingly beautiful and thoroughly life-altering.
You can listen to ‘clarity’ below: