Rat race, the daily grind, survival of the fittest, hamster wheel… whatever your preferred phrasing, it seems that we’re all trapped in the vicious cycle of sleep, work, eat, repeat in this globalised late-stage capitalist society. It can seem overwhelming and inescapable at times, which is something that Hamburg-based artist Iri Antler so artfully captures through her latest single ‘Finish Line’. Inspired by the sound of a half-broken coffee machine (itself a symbol of the tireless work we’re all supposed to do despite how burned out we might be), she takes this unconventional sample and creates something intricate, avant-garde and expressive.
Antler introduces this theme of everyday exhaustion with the simple-yet-provocative triptych of words: “rushing, frenzied, terrified”. Everything about ‘Finish Line’ is laid out with purpose, from those lyrics to the fractured beats to those industrial synths to the lullaby-esque chimes. As the track progresses, those harsher elements come into fuller focus, as though you can hear the speed of a commute to work, the grind of habitual labour and a growing sense of anxiety.
It’s no wonder that Antler‘s self-made production feels so visual when you learn that before becoming a DIY musician, she studied fashion/design back in her hometown of St. Petersburg. It seems that her creative roots are still present as there’s a tactile, metallic touch to ‘Finish Line’ that really enhances the listening experience. If you’re still craving a visible aspect, you’ll be intrigued to know that Antler is planning to release a Little Red Riding Hood-inspired horror music video filmed on an iPhone, complete with handmade costumes.
You can also find ‘Finish Line’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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