Boy Virgo to release new album ‘Villain’ on 13 May
New Zealand based hyperpop and alt-pop artist Boy Virgo and British alternative pop producer Old Pup have come together to create Virgo’s debut EP titled Villain. The project see’s Virgo take a dark hyperpop route with dance pop elements sprinkled with themes of rock/metal music to create an epic debut EP that will be sure to stun listeners and fans of music. Inspired by the sounds of 100 Gecs, Sophie and even capturing imagery similar to Poppy, this project sees a wide exploration of influences and genres all while seeing Virgo create his own Artistic Image.
The lead single from the project Blood and Guts sets the tone for the project with a dark and grungy take on hyperpop. The ‘in your face’ production style is a cornerstone of Old Pup’s sound. Moody ambience mixed with manipulated and futuristic vocal processing and Boy Virgo’s roaring voice breaks free from the sound Boy Virgo became known for. The second single titled XTC featuring Canadian-American singer Baby Brat. Is a distorted take on y2k hyperpop. The two were introduced through producer Old Pup while producing singles for both artists. Virgo’s bright and melodic vocal lines vibe beautifully with Baby Brat’s bubblegum pop lyricism.
Working with Old Pup on this EP allowed for Boy Virgo to step outside his comfort zone. “Initially the tracks were demo beats I’d been working on for other projects, but Boy Virgo’s lyrics and voice really helped to create a cohesive project” – Old Pup
The intro track to the EP Villain bombards the listener with tight percussion and heavy bass. Setting the scene for this new take on the hyperpop genre. This track’s rock and metal influence allowed Boy Virgo to get to the sound they’ve been obsessed with for a while. He states “I’ve always been a huge pop music lover but I did grow up with a brother who was a metal head. Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Metallica were a few bands I became accustomed to. As I got older I found my own sort of love for metal music within artists like Poppy or that kind of alt pop that sounds like pop music but is very new and fresh. When me and Old Pup made the intro to Villain, it felt completely right. I listened and thought ‘this is it; this is literally the perfect intro track.”
Following Villain, we go through singles Blood and Guts and XTC. Both showcasing themes of love, toxicity within love and grief through romantic/sexual love. It’s not until we get to the 4th tracked titled Miel that we receive a brief respite from the care free pop tracks for a heartfelt ballad . It’s not a conventional ballad , when the chorus hits with a shaking bass line it really drives home the emotions that Boy Virgo is trying to convey through his lyrics. “I was 19 when I lost my best friend, which was only 2 years ago. It honestly is an event that helped inspire Villain. I was and still am so heartbroken by the event which led to anger. This is a song I’ve wanted to make for the past two years and I’m just so thankful that Old Pup was able to help me create it. I always knew that if I did make a song for my friend, it wouldn’t be a ‘piano ballad’ or like a soft sad song. I always wanted to have an epic sounding song that not only paid respect to her but captured the sound I wanted to do with my music. Me and her didn’t have similar music taste but she always supported my music and I know she would of wanted me to create music how I wanted to so that’s why Miel is most likely the most important song and Heart of this project.”
We then finish off the project with Timesplitter. Some would consider the most ‘dance pop’ song on this project. The song sees Virgo singing to a possible new or current lover over a four to the floor house inspired hyperpop beat. “The inspo for Timesplitter is really cute. First of all the song title itself was inspired by a game I was obsessed with as a child respectfully called Timesplitter. It’s pretty much about a guy that jumps through different timelines and like he does it to save his friends and a love interest I think. It’s been a while since I’ve played so I can’t remember the storyline too much but it really inspired me with the ideology of finding someone you love so much that it feels like you have not loved them your whole life, but more. It feels like there is no other form of existence without this person. I wrote the line ‘when the solar system dies, I will stand right by your side’ and it’s probably the most beautiful line I’ve written. We could be dying or be dead but my love for you will go on through multiple timelines. It’s endless.”
Villain is set to be released May 13th, 2022. It is Virgo’s first long form musical project. “Villain is my joker origin story. It is talking about the experiences in life that have made me the person I am. I do consider it a sad project but I also would consider it an epic one. It’s anthemic and will definitely get people out of their seats and will definitely make people listen. It’s a project I’ve wanted to do for so long now and I’m excited to share it.”
