West coast new romantic icon Riki returns with her 2nd simulacrum of pitch-perfect synth-pop, aptly titled for the precious substance it is: Gold. Inspired by notions of symbolic power, letting go, and transmutable realms of the heart, the album further refines her rare gift for making swooning melancholia as anthemic as it atmospheric. Working with Telefon Tel Aviv co-founder Josh Eustis at his Pasadena studio, the sessions unfolded fluidly and fruitfully, focusing on âquieter momentsâ and refining the recordâs palette and voice. Occasional interruption from a nearby flock of wild parrots infused a mood of California dreaming, purple sunsets dissolving into deepening neon night.
Like all the most elusive pop, Rikiâs songcraft is simultaneously direct and oblique, dynamic and detached, shifting from sparkling chorus to elliptical outro according to its own poetic logic. She characterizes her lyrical muse as âvery much whatâs going on in my life, things I wanted to say but didnât have the platform.â This subcurrent of dream fulfillment animates the melodies with a specificity and immediacy that transcends her pantheon of 80âs influences: from Saâda Bonaire and Strawberry Switchblade to Bryan Ferry, Bananarama, and beyond. Gold skews less dance floor than her instant classic 2020 debut but taken as a collection itâs equally stirring, stylish, and exquisitely produced. Evocatively layered arrangements of drum machinery, sequencer, fretless bass, grey sky guitar, saxophone, and FX, anchored by Rikiâs singular voice, alternately widescreen and wounded, yearning beyond time for ecstasies both fleeting and forever: âThought I knew you, but youâve gone far away / itâs not in your nature to stay / but the thought that I need you, grows stronger every day / the colors begin / to change.â
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