Solene’s “Neokitsch”

WRITTEN BY A.A.V.

My fixation for an alternative style of music began when taking long commutes through my city’s massive skyscrapers. During these long stretches of time, my phone’s robotic conductor, who never seemed to crack a smile or blink at the tracks and bright neon advertising signs, made the experience futuristic. While I was scanning through my socials on another mindless commute, I stumbled upon an artist that could finally provide the cure to my chronic travel boredom.

Solene is this century’s cyber jazz star; a genre she wholeheartedly embraces. Her eye-catching fuschia pink hair, crazy neon colors and skin tight dresses makes her appearance out of this world, and her vocals are a whole other story. Solene credits jazz and soul singer legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Erykah Badu as her main inspirations to her sound. In an interview with Feed The Juice, Solene describes her upbringing and unique style as part of her memories she had while traveling. “I was born in LA, but we moved all over Southern California, and briefly Miami. Of course, I also spent 5 years living in England. All that traveling really opens your mind, especially when you’re young. Most of my life I had wanted to be a fashion designer. I was always drawing, creating these manga girls with these detailed, unique and awesome outfits inspired by Japanese culture. Think of Gwen Stefani’s “Harajuku Lovers” wardrobe.”

Many of Solene’s signature songs include “Chase the Stars”, “Bloom”, and “The Harlequin’s Last Laugh.” All songs have Solene’s honey-sweet vocals with futuristic electronic blending in the background. My personal favorite that I feel deserves the most attraction is “Neokitsch.” The single is a palette refreshing melody that can be played in an intergalactic night club or during a long commute. “Neokitsch” is classy, catchy, and mixes modern R&B beats with low saxophone subtly whispering in between pauses. Like Solene, it’s sensual and elegant in nature and undeniably addictive.

Solene is one of few artists who style themselves as cyber jazz singers but with the way the modern world is evolving in terms of technology, fashion, and music, Solene may find herself as the leader of the genre exploding in popularity. As Solene puts it in many of her videos, “Cyber jazz is the future.”