Julia Gaeta – Blur Divine 12″ (Green / Black Split Vinyl)

With her debut solo EP, Blur Divine, Paris-based American musician Julia Gaeta invites listeners into a nocturnal world of introspective yet danceable ‘unlove’ songs. Blending lush dark pop with industrial textures and sultry grit, Blur Divine explores the warped perception, fragmented reality and obsession that comes with love gone awry – but drapes these more sinister themes in an ethereal, fragile veil.

Growing up listening to metal, grunge, post-punk and goth music, Gaeta inevitably carries with her the influences of bands such as Alice in Chains, Depeche Mode and Killing Joke. But she also draws from her deep love of ‘90s and early ‘00s pop and hip hop – plus the era of big production they helped usher in. Blur Divine feels like an enigmatic melding of these influences, with some early 4AD vibes added for good measure. After playing guitar in bands for nearly a decade, Gaeta dropped her first solo single, “Weight of You,” in early 2022 – which featured a rare production and mixing appearance from James “Perturbator” Kent. That was the first taste of her immersive world, and it was welcomed with praise among fans across genres. “Weight of You” is set to be included as a B-Side on Blur Divine.

Gaeta has now teamed up with LA-based producer Alex DeGroot – best known for his work with Zola Jesus – to expand her sonic landscape. Laced with massive beats, distorted synths, echoing guitars and Gaeta’s undeniable vocal depth, Blur Divine reels us in immediately and intimately, and beckons us to follow a path into realms oddly familiar yet unexplored.

Similar artists: Curve, Cranes, Depeche Mode

Notes: Contains a track featuring Perturbator