Up and Comers Music

It’s not easy to put the music of Lekursi in a box. On one hand, with a lead vocalist that sounds at moments quite like Ben Gibbard, you might be tempted to associate them with modern indie pop. But despite the heavy use of electronic elements and the Gibbard-esque vocals, their latest track, “Amarna Letters” is anything but your typical The Postal Service song. The sound is much more ethereal, draws on more eclectic influences, and takes on a life of its own over the course of the 3 minutes. Self described as “inspired by lucid dreams and historical synchronicities”, Lekursi cultivate a unique musical universe that feels slightly indie pop adjacent but is beating to its own drum that is more multi-faceted and less defined by rigid structure.

At its heart, “Amarna Letters” is actually a political protest song. “The man he don’t own me, the man who serves the beast” is repeated throughout the various sections, drilling home the idea that the artist is under attack from various societal restraints. The artist speaks of censorship in lines like “I know if I’m to speak, they’ll lock me away for keeps/ but if I don’t free my mind, the whole world will burn”. This theme of liberation is mirrored in the free-form structure of the track, which wanders freely from verse to refrain and dabbles in unconventional instrumentations. A particular favorite moment that stands out in this vein is the interlude composed of cello, mournful clarinet and tabla-esque drums around 1:40. Throughout the track, Lekursi demonstrate firmly that they are not hindered by the forces of political censorship and musical convention.

Bringing together protest lyrics with flourishes of indie pop, electronic, and international sounds, Lekursi is undoubtedly pushing musical boundaries in “Amarna Letters”. What starts out as something quite familiar evolves into a musically complex track with refreshingly unorthodox choices of instrumentation. Political protest themes, normally reserved for heavier styles, are nestled among the compelling soundscape as Lekursi develop their musically entrancing persona.

Stream Amarna Letters here and follow Lekursi on Instagram to stay up to date on their releases.

Check out our Up and Comers playlist for more emerging artists.