AFAR's 'Plastic Riot': A Sonic Odyssey Between the Organic and Electronic

In their latest single release, “Plastic Riot,” Berlin-based electronica duo AFAR offers a captivating glimpse into their forthcoming album, “The Refuge.” This track, a striking blend of technoid elements and Elena’s powerful, yet dystopian tender voice, explores a space somewhere between rough pop and electronica.

“Plastic Riot” initiates with a commanding pulse of the kick drum and a syncopated bass that lays the foundation for the journey ahead. Spoken vocals emerge, adding a distinctive layer to the composition, while a hi-hat drives the momentum forward. As the bass gradually expands, it transforms into an engaging groove, accentuated by the introduction of a synth snare that contributes to the track’s rich texture. The crescendo of the song reveals multiple layers of synth and a vocal texture that is both emotive and fascinating, immersing the listener in an intense auditory experience.

“The Refuge,” from which “Plastic Riot” is extracted, was conceived during a unique recording session in the Pyrenees, where AFAR isolated themselves from the world for four winter weeks. The resulting album is a fusion of self-reference and artistic liberation, and “Plastic Riot” is emblematic of this fusion—a track that pays homage to the brave new world while highlighting love’s existence in unconventional spaces, under halogen tubes and above PVC floors.

AFAR, a collaboration between two musicians, deftly navigates the delicate balance between the natural and the industrial. Their music is a testament to the paradox between organic and electronic elements, where they craft dance-oriented rhythms interwoven with haunting vocals in some instances, and in others, create ambient soundscapes through a multi-instrumental approach.