It took us a while to truly understand the context around Blackstate. An eclectic entity, the electro, post-punk and indie-pop project exists at the intersection of popular and underground culture, often blending playful, relatable lyricism with niche arrangements and witty production. That said, Blackstate is also constantly evolving. Following up on last year’s album ‘While The World’s On Fire Deluxe Edition’ (itself a reprise of a 2020 EP), the North Macedonian creative behind the Blackstate moniker has recently returned with ‘#FollowMe’, a tight, obsessive and quirky single drenched in observant songwriting and videogame-esque allure.
Certainly one of the best and most unique offerings we have heard in the past few months, the record feels kinetic and lighthearted, a bright nugget of dry electronica with a hidden melancholic counterpoint. You see, Blackstate utilises a seemingly inoffensive piece to then embark on a compelling critique of the current social media landscape, a space where people often lose themselves in a fictitious reality, seeking approval from others with no real reason for doing so.
Playful and quirky, the single is both kinetically rewarding and lyrically observant, a compelling counterpoint to an otherwise boring and uniform musical industry. Known by day as Filip Tasevski-Fitz, the Skopje-based musician and creative puts his longstanding experience in the music industry to good use, crafting a track that’s suitable for both dancing and contemplation. Whichever activity you choose to do, it’s up to you.
Recommended! ‘#FollowMe’ is out now, discover its video: