RedazioneWith their debut single God Complex, Yulan & Blaise have crafted a deeply evocative downtempo track that blends haunting atmospheres, intricate instrumentation, and introspective themes. Released on November 22, 2024, the Australian-American duo’s first offering serves as a stunning introduction to their upcoming 2025 EP. Drawing heavily from the Bristol Sound and trip-hop’s 90s roots, the song channels a postmodern exploration of ambition, nihilism, and grief in the age of “Main Character Syndrome.”
The track’s foundation is a meticulous balance between its downtempo rhythm and lush electronic textures. The bassline pulses with a hypnotic allure, grounding the song while allowing the rest of its sonic elements to shine. Meanwhile, the percussion flows like a heartbeat, understated yet essential, creating an ebb and flow that perfectly complements the emotional weight of the lyrics.
Central to God Complex is its masterful use of instrumentation, which pushes the boundaries of the downtempo genre. Blaise Garza’s expertise with the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) takes center stage, delivering a surreal, otherworldly solo that feels both expansive and deeply human. The incorporation of traditional instruments like the shakuhachi flute, the Chinese erhu, and the jaguar whistle adds a layer of complexity, unmooring these sounds from their cultural contexts and weaving them into a sonic tapestry that feels timeless and universal.
Yulan Jack’s vocals are nothing short of mesmerizing. Her delivery oscillates between vulnerable whispers and commanding declarations, embodying the song’s themes of longing and existential questioning. Lyrically, God Complex uses the metaphor of a lover traveling to another galaxy to address broader societal anxieties—whether technology is a savior or destroyer and who gets left behind in the pursuit of progress. This narrative, paired with the cinematic production, evokes a profound sense of yearning, as if reaching for something just out of grasp.
Recorded partially at Tasmania’s iconic Frying Pan Studios and later in the duo’s living room, the track achieves a rare balance of intimacy and grandeur. The REDD.17 desk, once used by The Beatles, imbues the song with a subtle warmth, while the at-home re-recordings add a raw, immediate quality that heightens the emotional stakes.
The accompanying music video further amplifies the song’s themes, presenting a dystopian vision of a world abandoned. Shot in a disused Tasmanian print factory, it seamlessly blends 16mm footage with Matrix-inspired visuals, creating a striking contrast between analog and digital aesthetics. This visual pairing mirrors the song’s sonic duality: expansive yet intimate, futuristic yet rooted in tradition.
Yulan & Blaise’s work embodies the ethos of “Endcore,” capturing the unease of living in a world where the apocalypse looms perpetually but never arrives. Their multidisciplinary approach and diverse backgrounds enrich the track, making it feel like an unclassifiable masterpiece.
God Complex is not just a song; it’s an experience—one that invites listeners to question, reflect, and lose themselves in its intricate layers. With this debut, Yulan & Blaise have established themselves as boundary-pushing artists to watch. We are thrilled to feature this exceptional piece on our webzine.
