French composer and producer Philby has never been one to play by the book, and with his latest single “Medusa,” he leans all the way into that unpredictability. Dropped in October 2025, the track feels like a slow-burning cinematic experience. Known for blending airy atmospheres with weighty guitar work, Philby continues to carve out a space that’s entirely his own, especially impressive considering his journey as an artist navigating severe hearing loss. Honestly, it’s that contrast between limitation and boundless sonic ambition that makes his work hit different.
Right off the bat, “Medusa” simmers. The intro creeps in with ominous restraint, as grinding, distorted guitars move at a deliberate pace while distant cymbals splash like echoes in a cavern. It’s moody, almost meditative, and just when you think it might explode into chaos, it pulls back. Then, almost out of nowhere, the soft, high, and hauntingly delicate vocals arrive, bringing a haunting ethereality and vulnerability that darkens and blunts the edges.
As the track unfolds, Philby keeps switching gears without losing grip. Around the midpoint, things take a breather with a calm instrumental passage, like the eye of a storm. But don’t get too comfortable—the guitar solo soon slithers in, starting off reflective and chiming before swelling into something far more emotional and intense. This progression sneaks up on you and then refuses to let go.
By the final stretch, “Medusa” transforms again, blending its heavier roots with subtle, almost ethereal vocal layers. It’s powerful without being overbearing—more spellbinding than aggressive. Even the music video mirrors this duality, pairing medieval-toned countryside visuals with the song’s shifting moods. All in all, “Medusa” is experienced, lingering long after the last note fades.
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Review by: Naomi Joan