Sydney pop artist Elmo Aoyama has just released 21, the second single off her debut EP Spells. It’s a masterclass in glitchy pop goodness, and Elmo’s vocals sound as smooth as silk in both English and Japanese.

Elmo’s voice is, at least on the surface, uplifting, with the call-and-response track telling the same story from two different perspectives. Give the track a deeper listen, however, and you’ll find it’s not as positive as you suspected, but rather, it’s actually quite a sombre affair. There’s a lot to unpack on 21, and you’ll want to uncover all the mysteries the track holds.

Speaking about the song, Elmo says, "21 is about a friendship long lost and slightly salvaged since. I watched the rise and deepening of their troubles and was concerned for their inevitable fall.

“At the time the only solution seemed to be for them to remove themselves from their situation, to leave and heal. Regardless of their situation, people often go through similar problems. The reaction to these problems is a matter of context and perception." 

Best-known for her work in Sydney band Big White, Elmo’s solo project hits the right balance between kitsch and cool, and makes music tha't’s definitely easy on the ear. 21 is the audio equivalent of a cool breeze - it blows over you, and leaes you with a pleasant feeling. You’ll find yourself looking for the breeze to return.

Check out 21 below, and keep an ear out for Elmo’s debut EP, Spells, set to drop on August 26th. Originally recorded back in 2017, it’s set to receive a full release now, with the tracks given a new lease on life.