A hyper-active guitar is blaring through the speakers, alongside a chirping synth line, distorted bass riff and colossal drum beat. You tumble through a wormhole into an endless void and the sonic atmosphere is mesmerizing. You're now in the realm of Montreal-based artist Derek Orsi, specifically in the orbit of his latest single XXX. 

​

"This song is about stepping into your truth. XXX symbolizes religious taboo, political injustice, conspiracy theories and sexual miseducation. We build our identity around these constructs and our freedom relies on us breaking away from them. There are inner and outer wars going on and the ferociousness of the music supports that theme." Orsi says. 

​

As you're captivated by death stars and moonbeams, the song picks up pace and explodes into an adrenaline-fuelled chorus. Orsi screams the memorable "Tell your martyrs, their god is dead" hook, engulfed by fuzz driven guitars and crushing drums. The sheer aggressiveness of the vocal is what makes it so catchy.

 

"XXX challenges you to face your fears, anger and paranoia. If you want to grow you need to change. The chorus lyric demonstrates emotional ignorance. We've all been down that road. Acknowledgment is key if you want to grow." Orsi says.

​

XXX is a track that will make you nostalgic for the sound of 2k Alt Rock but with a cosmic reinvention of the genre that makes it stand on its own. 

​

Orsi wrote the song during a time in his life when he was searching for answers. "My experiences, the world I see before me and pure fiction all inspire my writing, I was questioning a lot of stuff when I wrote this song. The lyrics reflect confusion, anger and paranoia. Part of it was my journey and part of it was what I saw others going through."

​

XXX is the first single from Derek Orsi's upcoming LP Astral Youth, a concept album that feels like the soundtrack to a suspenseful, yet heartwarming film. 

​

XXX is out November 11, 2022. 

 

​