Iönä and Marek Deml have released a single that turns the breakup pop subgenre into something fiercely epic in tone.
Swedish dark-pop artist Iönä has engaged in collaboration with producer and songwriter Marek Deml, to create her new single, “Cruel”. After listening to “Take Me To The Sea”, Iönä’s first single, we expected something a bit milder. However, this single is one that has quickly and effortlessly turned the once-demure breakup song subgenre on its head.
At the offset of Iönä’s single, we heard synth instrumentation that felt like it could begin some fantastic exploration movie sequel. It’s the third act of a story that has a trailer denoting that the heroes have lost everything. Still, there is a shred of hope left. It feels pretty common as a trope. However, that’s not what this review is for. We are looking at a piece of music that is darkly atmospheric and remarkably epic. It’s interesting to consider how that word has lost much meaning over the years. Even still, “Cruel” seeks to reclaim that meaning.
Iönä’s vocals come in. We get the remarkably airy lyrics we know from the artist but at a slightly lower octave. The lyrics speak of how the singer has not only ended something toxic but lost vital parts of herself in the process. This has been seen before in Iönä’s music, but when paired with the backing ambiance it fits very well with what we’ve described above.
The music swells into something deeply cinematic. Iönä’s words resonate with a melody that is ephemeral and sweet, almost like a memory of black lace, once buried but uncovered anew.
Iönä’s track feels a lot shorter than the actual time states. At three minutes and 45 seconds, the song flies by. This is especially true given the genre and its tendency to slow things down immensely. This isn’t an indictment at all. Rather, to Iönä’s credit, a song that can be as exciting and as emotive as “Cruel” is hard to come by.
We as an audience asked for this of Iönä, and Iönä truly delivered. We can only hope that we get even more from her in the coming days. The artist has announced a number of art pieces tying into her singles this year. Luckily, Marek Deml will also be in the picture for a while as well, directing the flow of the artist’s strokes.
You can listen to “Cruel” by Iönä and Marek Deml on Spotify.
