Nepolean Complex takes a wonderfully loose and unconcerned approach to genre on his latest release, ‘Blood on My Sneakers’, a loosely neo-R&B track that borrows from oriental soundscapes, digital dance grooves, skittering trap-influenced hip-hop beats and a more energetic indie sensibility. Hip-hop meets indie-pop, soulful choral flourishes meet electronic invention, and, at its core, an infectious sense of musical adventure that weaves it all together.
Rather than committing fully to any one style, Nepolean Complex seems content to skirt around the edges of several, picking up the musical moves and moods, methods and melodies that appeal before moving on to the next idea. The result is a track that feels difficult to pin down and all the more interesting for it.
But this isn’t just music made for its own sake; beneath the genre-hopping creativity lies a more personal story. The blood in the title is, of course, metaphorical, representing the years of effort, challenge, creativity and determination that go into pursuing any and all artistic dreams. The story here is about the sacrifices nobody sees, the self-doubt that never entirely disappears and the absolute refusal to give up when the going gets tough or disillusionment sets in. Clothing becomes armour as the line between everyday life and the stage persona blurs.
Add to that an ethereal and soulful, choir-driven chorus which adds an uplifting counterpoint to that underlying struggle, and you end up with a track that is insightful and infectious, personal yet relatable, and which is imbued with unexpected warmth. It reminds us that even when chasing that dream takes its toll, the reasons you headed down such a difficult path in the first place are still worth holding on to.
