Heavy bass seeps in through the walls in a nightclub that are tinted shades of blue, pink and purple. Shadows of patrons surround the scene, but, in your mind, it is only you and one other person in the room.
This is just a preview of the world that Kiki Kramer’s daring new single “dionysus” prevails.
“Put on some lipstick and some dark eye makeup / so you’ll spin me round the club,” sings Kramer.
A rising alt-pop sensation from New York City, Kramer is inspired by the nightlife in New York, kawaii fashion, astrology and dating in the modern, internet-flooded world. Her music is daring, and it brings a sultry new edge to the pop universe that has resulted in sold out club shows in L.A. and her home of NYC.
Kramer got her start as an artist within the club scene in New York, where she began as a promoter. This opened the doors for her to curate events and eventually perform live. “dionysus” is Kramer’s third single, and it hit streaming services on April 24.
“‘dionysus’ is about a parasocial crush I once had on a rising celebrity,” Kramer said.
To understand Kramer’s new single, it is important to first understand the story of Dionysus himself. A tale from the Greek tragedy The Bacchae, Dionysus was the Olympian god of wine, pleasure and madness. Kramer compares the experience she sings about in “dionysus” to a scene from The Bacchae.
“Dionysus possesses an entire village of women, leading them into the woods to drink, have sex, and ultimately murder the ruler of Thebes,” Kramer said. “It’s a story that eerily echoes the Manson murders.”
Referencing the infamous trials of Charles Manson and his followers in her lyrics, she sings: “One of Manson’s girls / you’re my king bed, crowned.”
“Dionysus” is an incredibly visual single. Kramer’s voice has this charismatic charm that pulls the listener in, and makes them feel as though they are experiencing the world that the song is set in.
Kramer’s sound is inspired by alt-pop’s golden girls like Marina and The Diamonds. She also draws influence from No Doubt, and earlier sounds of Lana Del Ray and Halsey.
“Dionysus” at its core is a love song, echoed with desperation and longing for the grand prize — a man like a God himself. Kramer’s single tells the story of a situation so many women, including myself, have all experienced at one point in our lives: having a crush so big that the ideas of winning their attention almost always outweigh the reality.
Kramer’s ability to pull inspiration from Greek tales, that often accurately portray human nature, and mix them with such a common, relatable situation portrays her dynamic skills as an artist.
Keep up with Kiki Kramer:
Instagram / Website / Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / TikTok
