SIAN ABLE - TEARSKIN
"Healing does not come from neutrality, but from the ability to carry one's own darkness"
By Grace
8/3/20262 min read
Sïan Able – TEARSKIN
With the release of their latest single TEARSKIN, Sïan Able showcases a song that highlights their strong artistic reinvention that is a unique blend of industrial electronica, dark pop and cinematic sounds. From start to finish, the Belgian artist uses the single to put a spotlight on discomfort. For listeners, this might become a moment that makes them confront the darker parts of themselves. It's a truly unique song that shows the journey of turning rage into transformation.
The songwriting is so honest, showcasing their personal upset from the first few lines which go: "A river of sorrow / Un río de dolor / An ocean of tears. "Throughout the verses, Able paints a picture of a mental struggle with lyrics like "I scream in silence / My skin makes me sink" and "Head under the sea / A good place to be buried." What is unique here is how they use physical metaphors to express psychological pain. Yet the song's emotional centre might be best found in the chorus, which sings: "Tear me open, tear my skin / This pain tears me down to nothing, nothing / I could crack me open, from within / I'm trapped in, I'm displaced, I'm locked in." Even moments of encouragement, such as "Rest if you must / But don't you quit," kind of reinforce the song's message that healing takes a certain amount of effort. All in all, each line reads like a dark, yet beautiful, poem.
As you might expect, the production features a heavy mix of synths, electronic rhythms and metallic textures. Mix together, there is a dense sound that might intentionally mirror the depth of the lyrics. Important to note, Sïan's vocals cut through the production with this striking clarity. What most stands out and is clear, is that every production choice reinforces the song's theme of personal transformation.
Maybe finding a unique place between dark pop, electronica and alternative art-pop, TEARSKIN will appeal to fans of Chelsea Wolfe, Fever Ray, Aurora's darker material, IAMX, Banks and Trent Reznor. It’s unapologetically bold, yet also beautifully written.
