Homemade Dynamite REMIX

Emma Clifton, MVC Staff Writer

After the record-breaking of success of “Pure Heroine,” Lorde reappeared on the music scene with “Melodrama,” a shadowy, syntho-pop collection of hit after hit swaddled with her signature raspy and lethargic vocals. Her latest contribution to music, a single called “Homemade Dynamite REMIX” has echoes of teen angst best represented by like-minded artists. Khalid, Post Malone, and Sza are artists promoting their music to their youth laden demographic.

Lorde vocalizes the adolescent condition with lyrics like, “So let’s let things come out of the woodwork,”  “But I think you might be the same as me/Behave abnormally” and “Our rules, our dreams, we’re blind” to drive home the overarching element in each of her masterpieces-which is her innate ability to match serious emotion with fizzy sound.

Verse 2 welcomes Khalid, a singer-songwriter whose career started at the young age of 19. Lorde’s awareness of Khalid’s youthful brilliance paired with his connection to his demographic make for an unleashing of sorts: full creative reign when it comes to this verse. Khalid’s silver lining approach to music shines with lyrics like, “I wanna feel the light, pushin’ our limits” and “So let’s take on the night/If the light is in, yeah.” His optimism contrasts greatly with Lorde’s somber lyrics.

Verse 3 introduces Sza, also a singer-songwriter with a link to the modern-day teen. Her discography includes electric mixes of boozy party anthems and sad girl songs, a perfect marriage with Lorde’s signature style. Her verse is infused with alluring lyrics “It’s only me and you, finally us two” and “I left my pretense at home”-lyrics that capture her awareness of a young society motivated by all things sex.

Verse 4 welcomes Post Malone, a rapper and musician who is not new to the music scene but someone whose artistry still captures youth while pairing it with remarkable maturity. His verse in “Homemade Dynamite REMIX” presents lyrics like, “We got a loaded gun/go and shoot me the look in your eyes” and “You got me so faded/And I don’t wanna chase it” to showcase his own special blend of well-roundedness and passion.

Lorde pairs her vocals with each respective artist for the chorus, creating a frothy concoction of the throes of a youthful lifestyle and a harmony of different, but cohesive vocals. “Homemade Dynamite REMIX” matches culturally relevant artists in a unique way that doesn’t come off pandering or cash-grabbing. The sound is rich and vibrant, while the lyrics fluctuate between dark, optimistic, passionate, and hazy.

Lorde will continue to surprise the music industry with her masterful grasp of what the people want, no need, to hear.