LA-based singer-songwriter and producer Nymphlord is readying the release of her upcoming EP, Rough Blue Banket, out via Lauren Records, with “Blood & Potions.” As the second single from the EP and final track in the context of the tracklist, “Blood & Potions” is all the awkward, cringe-inducing memories from your teen years, told over jumpy synths and a buzzing guitar.
Coming in at a little over two minutes, the single lets the at-first gentle guitar playing drive it forward as Nymphlord’s vocals evoke a younger, simpler time. Although there’s no mistake that “Blood & Potions” was recorded in the present, the softness heard in each instrument – save for the drums in the second half that add to the excited energy – complements the track’s fond introspection.
While it might be easy to write the song off as another coming-of-age tale, doing so would fail to recognize how it subverts what listeners expect from nostalgic songs. The sweetness at the core of “Blood & Potions” instead seeks to charm rather than stir up dark emotions, which Nymphlord had in mind when writing the song.
“My middle school crush’s friends really did buy Blow Pops and Tic Tacs to get us to kiss,” said Nymphlord. “Then they hid in a bush behind Baskin-Robbins and watched. It was ridiculous. That whole phase of life was ridiculous. That’s why I wanted this song to have a little bit of that ridiculousness too.”
See Nymphlord open for Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers in LA at the Moroccan Lounge on May 24 and at The Smell on June 3.
Visit Nymphlord on Instagram and her Bandcamp to stay updated on new releases and tour dates.
Listen to “Blood & Potions” the new single from Nymphlord below!
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