Swanskin, a duo made up of Cleo McKenzie and Juno Raphael, and saoirse dream have released indie-alternative track ‘Ribbons’. This exciting collaboration use an array of synth and electric sounds to create a dreamy track that provides an escapism for the listener.

The song starts out with an elongated rhythm, made up of melodic synths that are sustained and thickly layered.They give way to the opening lyrics fading into an influx of instruments that are punctuated by the drum beat which kickstarts the song. The vocals enter with lyrics, packed full of angst about the artists’ experiences, taking us through personal feelings that douse the first few verses in vulnerability, before diving into the chorus.

The sound and tempo creates an atmosphere of a dreamlike escape, contrasting with the theme of the song which explores identity judgment, and the feelings of being at odds with your own body. This feeling of loneliness is countered by the layered vocals during the chorus, which creates a feeling of community and nuances of positivity amongst the angst of the lyrics. Yet, the lyrics themselves are hard to make out, taking away from the overall message of the track and giving it a ‘background music’ function.

‘Ribbons’ is a strong second release from swanskin and a profound addition to saoirse dream’s discography. Whilst it’s a track that runs the risk of melding into the background, it presents important themes that are wrapped up in lush melodies and dreamy synths, perfectly balancing depth with escapism.