Pop/Review JOSHUA - Artificial Flavour
Combining honest songwriting with an infectious dark pop sound, JOSHUA is an artist unafraid to explore complex emotions. Hailing from the west-coast town of Mandurah, Australia, the art teacher-turned-songwriter follows in the footsteps of 5SOS, Thomston, and Charlie Puth, using songwriting to process and distill his emotional landscape.
"Artificial Flavour," JOSHUA's most recent song, is a brooding, sensual dark pop piece that explores the artist's investigation of both personal and artistic identity. This music, which echoes the sounds of Troye Sivan and Charlie Puth, is a moving reaction to an attack on JOSHUA's creative integrity and follows his journey of coming to terms with his bisexuality.
The song's lush, multi-layered production accentuates its gloomy pop element. JOSHUA created, produced, and mixed "Artificial Flavour" all by himself, demonstrating his painstaking approach to music creation. His creative use of synths—many of which are made from samples of his own voice—and the elaborate vocal layers demonstrate his commitment to the art. This not only displays his technical mastery but also gives the song's entire soundscape a very intimate touch.
"Artificial Flavour" has intriguing and thoughtful lyrics. Reflecting JOSHUA's own experiences and feelings, it wrestles with themes of honesty and self-discovery. From beginning to end, the tune is captivating due to its brooding melodies and sensual beats that create an immersive atmosphere that takes the listener inside the artist's inner world.
Joshua's voice portrays the intricacy of his journey with a tender yet strong performance. This single is as sonically beautiful as it is emotionally explosive, thanks to the masterful blending of dark pop elements with his unique vocals.
In addition to addressing the outside forces on his creative integrity in "Artificial Flavour," JOSHUA also honors his own development and acceptance of who he is. The song is evidence of his ability to turn personal struggles into a meaningful and realistic musical experience. "Artificial Flavour," with its sophisticated production, poignant lyrics, and alluring melodies, cedes JOSHUA's status as a formidable voice in the dark pop genre.