Raven Ives’ 2022 EP Dancing Shadows is a dark and evocative journey, bringing the darkness and grit of darkpop, goth-pop, and electronic trip-hop into a moody, cinematic experience. The EP was done entirely from scratch by Violet, who also created the accompanying artwork.
“Rainy Days” opens the EP with a hard-hitting beat, immersed in a downtempo electronic atmosphere. Violet’s husky, introspective voice floats over the melody, as she explores inevitability and finality. The lyrics evoke a dreamlike, melancholic setting, “We’re dancing shadows in rainy days / Falling down, down.”
“Be Still” takes a more brooding approach, with a haunting atmosphere underscored by a slow, deliberate beat. Violet’s vocals are slow and heavy, accompanied by harmonizing backing vocals that echo her repeated line, “Be still, my heart.” The song embodies a meditative stillness, drawing listeners deeper into her introspective world.
“Firelights” brings a gritty, tense energy with gritty guitars and a ticking electronic beat. Violet’s hard voice carries a subtle vulnerability as the tension between her delivery and the dark, pulsating music makes for a gripping listening experience, as though she’s navigating a harsh and uncertain emotional terrain.
The final track, “Ultraviolet,” delivers a sultry, seductive atmosphere, with a gritty undertone to match its dark ambiance. Violet’s vocal performance exudes mystery as she sings sultrily, “Come a little bit closer I won’t bite.” The song’s haunting, seductive energy is matched by the cryptic lyrics that conjure vivid imagery of purple starlight and cosmic radiation, “You call it ultraviolet, I call it ultra-me.”
Dancing Shadows is a deeply atmospheric EP that begs you to listen and immerse yourself. Raven Ives, through her alter-ego Violet, navigates themes of darkness, vulnerability, and emotional depth with raw, hypnotic soundscapes.
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Review by: Naomi Joan