NYC-based duo Freecell has been hitting the electronic music scene since their debut, representing themselves as alchemists unafraid of integrating the unexpected when it comes to sound. Their vibe is a genre-fluid mix of emotive electronica, acoustic elements, and visceral storytelling equalling in a disorienting yet tempting tune.
Fans of artists like Rhye, Thom Yorke, and James Blake will find a new artist for their playlists in Freecell’s approach—layered, introspective, and tinged with a certain melancholic beauty. Their earlier work, including a debut EP that saw remixes from the likes of Vril, James K, and Clipping, hinted at their inspiring creative force. But it’s their latest single, “Who Bribed My Guide,” that truly cements them into the scene.
“Who Bribed My Guide” is a track that starts with a deceptive calm before building into something altogether more complex. Opening with a stripped-back piano melody that wouldn’t feel out of place on a minimalist ballad. The vocals here are raw, almost fragile, delivering lines that seem to grapple with existential questions—an introspective start giving a false sense of security.
Percussion enters gradually, adding layers of tension and anticipation. By the time the distorted synths come in, forming a wall of sound, it’s clear that Freecell is taking you somewhere deeper, more chaotic. The vocals, once tender and close, now soar above the sonic maelstrom, fighting to be heard against the swelling backdrop.
The title itself “Who Bribed My Guide?” hints at a loss of trust, a questioning of the paths we follow and the voices we listen to. It’s this thematic depth, paired with their bold musical experimentation that speaks so differently to other music. The track doesn’t just ask questions—it forces you to confront them!
Looking ahead, Freecell has loads more in store, with new tracks forming an EP that continues to cloud the lines between electronic and acoustic, reality and abstraction. If “Who Bribed My Guide” is any indication, this is a duo that’s just getting started, with much more to say and even more ways to say it.