Concert Review/ Artist Close-Up: Astrid S Is Bound For Mainstream Acclaim
There is no hiding the rise in dance-pop goodness over the past few years. Synth-pop, electro-pop, trap, house, EDM, etc, are all genres aimed straight for escapism. Whether it be through the mind or body, ensuing artists understand that this generation, Millennials, want to feel for, at least three minutes, like they are in a vibrant soundwave. They want their spirit to float out of them. Thus, enter the growing star of Astrid S.
Astrid S seems to be destined for mainstream success. First, she is gorgeous inside and out. Hailing from Norway, there is an ethereal look to her. She has a cherubic face, which makes the fact that she is in dance-pop all the more endearing. It is as if an angel is making a drop-kick on the stage. What furthers her celestial presence is that she is extremely generous with energy. It can be immediately felt that she wants you to have a good time. It is that openness that makes you want to be open, as well. Is she talented? Certainly Yes! Her voice could be crystallized with how clear it is in tone and emotion. Yet, it is that mixture between confidence and care that makes her a performance attraction.
Often, people confuse a care for the audience as being eager. Yet, I have reviewed several concerts, and I always remember the artists that cared. The ones that knew their talent was only half of their performance, and the rest was left to personality. Astrid S is amiable, friendly, and a strong performer. The sweetness of her demeanor is the perfect contrast to the strength she exudes through her music. She is extremely generous with her energy and presence, using every bit of herself to draw the crowd in. Yes, she dances, but it is not elaborate choreography. Instead, her dance is pure. She feels her songs like she feels her soul, and creates her movement according to an inner rhythm. It is as if the beats have a secret code, and Astrid S, as their creator, is the only that knows them. As she dances, you witness the bond between her and her music that is almost childlike in joy. She wants the stage, and is light in aura, that you want her to have it, too.
Astrid S is someone that genuinely wants the stardom she is gaining. Mainstream music is not bad. Actually, its pretty great. You always hear a lot of people complain about mainstream music and claim it has no soul. I think quite contrary. Music is too vast an entity to be capsized by such a small bottle. The mainstream has its perks and downsides like, anything else, but, because it is music, it always has its options. For me, Astrid S is definitely a perk and a great option. Better yet, her music transitions beautifully to live performance, which is MAJOR in this industry.
Dance-pop, being synthetic in composition, is not always the easiest genre to transition into live performance. You MUST have a really good, unique beat and as strong a presence as Astrid S to assure that you do not fall amongst the many. With it becoming such a popular, powerful genre, more artists fall into the “computer rhythms and pretty images trap”, where they only look and sound virtual, which causes them to fail when live. Yet, I am happy to inform that Astrid S is not one of those artists. She is such a vivacious person that her electric sound becomes human in soul and reception.
Here Is A Mini- Review of The Tracks She Played That Are From Her New EP, Astrid S:
With a repetitive hook and melody, the song feels like it is almost mind-control. It is sexy and wispy in its ability to just make you feel good.
Check Out Her EP, Astrid S, and Official Page Here. Astrid S played on June 2 at the Rockwood Music Hall Stage.
