Single/Video Review: Bloodlines (feat Estère & JessB)

I remember when The Adults were first announced as the new project for Shihad’s Jon Toogood. The first single released gave the impression that the project would be similar in style to the comparative musical jump that Corey Taylor has between Slipknot and Stone Sour; opting for a change towards the lighter mainstream formula. The Adults, of course, have swiftly become much more than that, becoming far more collaborative with the artists that they work with.

Bloodlines has nothing that would connect it to Shihad, musically speaking. In a completely different genre, Bloodlines is an example of how artists should feature in a track. For too long, featuring has been relegated to backing vocals in the chorus, or a single verse, sometimes even just making odd noises from time to time (I’m looking at you Timbaland). Featuring has become more of an “appearance” to flagrantly expand the audience of each artist, and to gain access to more varied Spotify playlists. Bloodlines is a true feature, in which the artists’ presence shapes the song. This has become an Estère & JessB track that happens to have “The Adults” involved.

But let’s talk about the song itself. Bloodlines draws inspiration from “Aghani Al-Banat” (which translates to “girl’s music”), a Sudanese genre of urban fusion in which female musicians assert themselves through song, resisting the narrow definition of gender roles, and the patriarchy. The strength of the female is on full display in the music video, with women filling every visible role, to create this traditional, almost tribal track burst with life. Heavily entrenched within nature, the video mirrors the attitude of the song,

The combination of Estère and JessB is initially unconventional and contrasting, the former providing a harmonious pop melody, and beautifully slow, flowing dance, whereas the latter is much more aggressive, primal, and unrelenting rap. This is the duality of women, however, and the coexistence of frail beauty and strength and persistence within woman throughout history is well presented.

The video provides gorgeous shots from Piha and Karekare beaches and makes noteworthy use of colour and light to show the differences, contrasting cool hues and slow, synchronized choreography, with red light and more frantic antagonistic actions. Fire and Water, Light and Dark, Yin and Yang. Two sides of the same coin.

_{Review written by Alex Moulton}