The Singles Bar: Felyce conquers and rises above every ‘Fear’

Welcome to The Singles Bar, a review series focused on new single and song releases.

Fear is one of the most basic and primal of human reactions. It can certainly be dangerous, triggering even, but it fuels us, often empowering us to claw our way, tooth and nail, to true glory. Without fear, we might never come to completely understand enlightenment and the thrill which results from the outpouring of blood, sweat and tears. Independent alt-pop newcomer Felyce, based out of Mexico these days, takes great pause to reflect upon and process her own journey through “Fear” with the aptly-titled song to her debut EP, a lo-fi collection carved with trip-hop tendencies and fuzzy-headed distortions. It’s nearly hallucinatory in parts, as the French-born singer-songwriter slices her way through her own misery, confusion and brokenness for full redemption.

“Fear,” a blood-curdling, piano-pinned ballad, bookends the EP and leaves the listener stupefied in a soft, trembling glow. “Oh, can I rise above fear and failure?” the 25-year-old puts on loop, with sooty production traipsing sluggishly behind her. It’s both a lethargic performance and a rather mesmerizing one; its homely presentation style is undeniably crafty. Having grown up on Madonna, Aaliyah, TLC and Youssou N’dour, Felyce is equally tough to define, and her DIY-centric work often feels lowly and left-of-center. It’s so alternative that you’ll put her EP on repeat without even blinking.

Felyce’s Fear EP is out now.

Listen below:

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