Canada’s styxcitycult finally coalesce on debut single “Diamond Eyes”, presented with a video that shows off their brotherhood like a badge of honour.
In the last year or so, each member of Winnipeg’s styxcitycult has found their own success. Postwar’s latest single “I’m Not Okay” has hit thirty-three thousand streams on Spotify alone, Drinkbleachh and Wulfpunk moved together to Toronto, and Trrm’s album “Ice Forest Rituals” was met with acclaim. These examples are a few from a list too long to describe. However, the collective is no longer focused in one city, and much of its members’ work is personal, done alone or with one or two collaborators. At the end of 2019 it seemed that most of the cult’s artists were investing in their own space and their own sound, rather than the overall concept of styxcitycult. “Diamond Eyes” serves as a smile-inducing reminder that styxcitycult is more alive than ever.
The verses of “Diamond Eyes” are lighthearted but confident. Each performer sounds natural, enveloped by the processed voices of their friends. Dag opens the song with one of his best verses, never quite finishing each line to give the impression of carelessness without taking his mind off of the finished product. Drinkbleachh follows, singing in his usual half-emo inflection “I seen you with those diamond eyes, back of the club”. Ivan Silk’s lofty pitch and Losesleep’s wonderfully dynamic delivery make an excellent team on the hook, the two supporting and overlapping one another. Trrm adds his signature mystic bars recalling his own legend as “the masked man, the conquerer”. Wulfpunk is effervescent, ditching the monotone aura of his latest single “Nightmare” for a genuinely heartfelt performance, holding onto notes long enough to cast them into the listener’s memory. Postwar’s sound is the cleanest of the bunch, with backing vocals ringing out alongside his verse. Finally, Spaghking (aka killziggyduncan) captures the confidence of the song in his lyrics; “I’m gonna live forever, I told you so watch, shining like a star, I saw a crystal so I dug”.
lmshaw05 (credited as Logan) directed the video for “Diamond Eyes”, a lofi vignette that offers countless fun moments; Drinkbleachh dances with his cat, Spaghking reclines in his sunglasses with indescribable pride, and Ivan Silk and Losesleep perform the hook only to reveal Trrm hiding in the shower. Eventually the whole group meet in one room, all singing the hook, smiling, dancing. It’s glorious.
Instrumentally “Diamond Eyes” is soothing, with airy guitar notes and muted hi hats courtesy of Drinkbleachh and Losesleep. The upbeat tempo and warm tone of the beat creates a mood of optimism and hope that each performer capitalises on. “Diamond Eyes” finds its place amongst songs like “Glo” or “Three Words”, songs that manage to bring together multiple styxcitycult members. These songs are wonderful because they remind the listener of the group’s identity, reinforcing the genuine chemistry these people share and demonstrating their creative potential too. “Diamond Eyes” is a tour through an underground hall of fame – the talent has gone skyward, but thankfully styxcitycult aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Listen to “Diamond Eyes” here.
Listen to styxcitycult’s second single “Styxcitysinners” here.
Follow styxcitycult on Twitter, Instagram, Soundcloud, Spotify and Apple Music.
– Jamie (@youngjade1216)
