REVIEW: miso808 BRIDGES CULTURAL DIVIDES AND MERGES VISUAL AND LITERARY EXPERIENCES in ‘bedtime stories mp3’ EP
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY DANIELLE HOLIAN ☆
BRIDGING CULTURAL DIVIDES AND MERGING VISUAL AND LITERARY EXPERIENCES, miso808’s debut record bedtime stories mp3 is an ambitious release.
The songstress is a Shanghai-raised, Los Angeles-based artist who is proving to be a formidable force in the alternative music scene with her debut EP. A multimedia storyteller who bridges the gap between music, film, and visual art, miso808 weaves an intricate web of sound, emotion, and storytelling that defies genre and resonates across cultures. This EP is a testament to her artistry and the exciting new chapter she’s writing in the world of modern music.
From the start, miso808 sets herself apart with a unique backstory. Moving from Shanghai to the U.S. as a teenager, she left behind the familiar and embarked on a journey of self-discovery, marked by resilience and an unyielding love for art. Her initial foray into the world of music began with piano lessons and evolved into guitar-driven songwriting, a way to learn English that soon blossomed into an unbreakable bond with music. However, early on, the lack of Asian representation in the U.S. music industry left her hesitant to pursue music professionally. Instead, she channeled her creative energies into filmmaking, honing her storytelling skills. The rise of more diverse voices in music and the increasing embrace of genre-fluid artistry brought miso808 back to her first love—a move that redefines what it means to be a boundary-pushing artist in today’s landscape.
With bedtime stories mp3, miso808 has delivered a collection that’s both groundbreaking and deeply personal. Each track functions like a chapter in a larger narrative, infused with her signature blend of indie, alternative pop, and R&B, accented with echoes of Eastern musical influences. It’s a sonic journey that’s both cinematic and intimate, weaving together stories that transcend language and cultural boundaries.
The standout track, “Misirlou,” demonstrates miso808’s knack for breathing new life into the old. Originally a 1960s surf-rock classic, the song is transformed into a bilingual anthem with a modern, empowered twist. The fusion of lush production, a driving hook, and Eastern instrumentation makes it a daring reimagining that captures the listener’s attention from the first note. This track perfectly encapsulates her ability to merge nostalgia with innovation, paying tribute to the past while infusing it with a forward-thinking sensibility.
In stark contrast, “Crown” takes a more vulnerable, introspective approach. Starting with a simple, haunting piano melody, the song gradually evolves into a powerful, synth-driven crescendo. It’s an exploration of self-realization and emotional depth that underscores miso808’s raw, unfiltered artistry. This is not just a song, but an experience that invites listeners to confront their own moments of reckoning.
Another highlight, “1001,” reimagines the timeless tale of One Thousand and One Nights through a modern lens and is sung in Mandarin. This track perfectly encapsulates miso808’s ability to merge the ancient with the contemporary, creating an enigmatic soundscape that evokes the allure of Eastern storytelling traditions while embracing alternative production techniques. It’s a testament to her skill at crafting music that feels both timeless and progressive.
The EP’s opening single, “Dazzling,” is a striking alt-pop anthem that explores the complexities of passion and love. With sharp production and introspective lyrics, it dissects the fine line between desire and deeper emotional connection. This track establishes miso808’s voice as one that is unafraid to delve into the raw, intricate emotions of human relationships.
The closing tracks, “Intuition” and “Meant to Be,” continue the EP’s exploration of vulnerability, self-discovery, and love. They present a deeply personal side of miso808’s artistry, capturing the euphoric highs and bittersweet lows of queer awakening. These songs offer a mix of hope and introspection, highlighting the beauty and uncertainty of personal growth.
What sets bedtime stories mp3 apart is not just its impressive genre-blending but also its visual and cultural dimensions. miso808’s work is visually enriched by her affinity for Y2K nostalgia and Webcore aesthetics, a choice that aligns seamlessly with the EP’s themes of identity, connection, and storytelling. The integration of these influences enhances the project’s narrative and emphasizes the power of music as a multisensory experience.
In a time when the music industry can feel formulaic, miso808 offers something deeply refreshing: an immersive and genre-defying body of work that’s as thoughtful as it is groundbreaking. Her artistry weaves together diverse elements—a background as a classically trained pianist, her love of film, and a powerful voice—to craft music that’s both modern and transcendent.
bedtime stories mp3 is a journey into the realms of memory, culture, and the ever-evolving concept of identity. The songstress delivers a fierce account of artistic freedom, marking another milestone in her evolution as a storyteller. Throughout the tracks, miso808 effortlessly guides listeners through a world where music, art, and storytelling converge in ways that resonate long after the final note fades.
