There are few debut singles from burgeoning artists that strike the musical spot so perfectly as the X Scouts’ new release, Narcissus. This track takes the listener on an indietronica retelling of the Greek myth of the beautiful titular hunter who was cursed by the gods to fall in love with his own reflection. He would stare endlessly into the pool of water reflecting his own beauty back at him until he perished. A flower, named for him and his beauty, grew in the place that he died.
This debut track does excellent service to that timeless myth. The vocalist assumes the perspective of Narcissus and ponders aloud if the “voices from the lake” are actually real or if he’s simply dreaming.
In terms of musicality, the artist has self-styled “Narcissus” as an experimental indie pop track combining acoustic instrumentation and IDM style percussion and synths. Instrumentally and melodically, “Narcissus” can be initially interpreted as a soft and playful love song, but the lyrics, hinting at unintentional asphyxiation by water in the second verse, lend it a sinister undertone because of context. As such, the song is deeply complex and can be replayed to find a new perspective with each new listen.
Another interpretation can be attributed to divine punishment. Narcissus was so obsessed with his own beauty that he rejected multiple advances due to his own hubris, thus earning his punishment from the gods. The chorus seems blissfully unaware of his own downfall, thus adding to that dark undertone. It’s masterfully done for a debut song.
X Scouts is a self-styled New York-based experimental pop project that explores the reaches of alternative pop music. Some of its major sources of inspiration come from other accredited authors, such as Baths, Postal Service, Dirty Projectors, The Naked and the Famous, Jockstrap, Alex G.
To support this debut indietronica artist, go stream Narcissus by the X Scouts on Spotify and other platforms today!
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