Mikey Demilio is inviting us into an atmosphere. On "Spain," the alt-pop artist shares nods to his homeland, and even beyond making for a deeply intimate-sounding record, he opens a new, hazy world far away where he will take you to with open arms. "Spain" winks at you with luxuriantly retro-futuristic synths that shimmer like sunlight on the skyline. It's steeped in the self-indulgent velvet textures of dream pop, and cloaked with synthwave's cinematic undercurrents, giving the impression of a soundscape born of a wistful memory you never lived through, but wish you had.
Demilio's voice floats over the track like a breeze in a way that's weightless but deliberate, emoting just enough to draw you close and leaving room for interpretation. There's a sense of movement in the production, as driving through an unfamiliar city at night, guided by gut instinct and neon signs. "Spain" is highly visual without being obviously so. It's about letting you feel like you've already been there. Whether it's a figurative Spain or a daydream of escape, the song captures the longing for a warmer, more liberating, and perhaps unreal place.
In a climate where genre boundaries are increasingly dissolving, Mikey Demilio willingly and generously brings together the very best attributes from all that has gone before. There's the emotional weight of dream pop, the pop hooks of alternative pop, and the synth-heavy, brooding ambiance reminiscent of the 80s, evoking a longing to feel something. "Spain" is something that feels fresh, up-to-date, and confidently brought up to date. On the Billionaires Club's horizon, "Spain" is indicative of what's to come, an ambitious sound that resonates both cinematically and intimately, stylishly and sincerely. If this single is any indication, Demilo's upcoming project will be a complete escape. More songs from the album are coming, and if they carry the same transportive energy as "Spain," listeners should be prepared to escape from reality.
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