4VR and 7Minutes2LA have “ISSUES”

“ISSUES” is a slippery smooth electronic release from the minds of 4vr, the moniker for Philadelphia-based self-dubbed “Dark Pop” duo Ren and Cesar, and 7Minutes2LA, a fiery producer collective made up of Matty Moonshine, Army Zenn, and Solomon Caesar. The song trickles back and forth between ambient electronica and chattering UK garage. Rife with pitched up, warped vocals, the track feels submerged in a brooding, murky tone before skyrocketing into a sound that leans more drum-and-bass.

7Minutes2LA, who are also Philadelphia natives, provide the production, creating the dynamic soundscape in “ISSUES.” A kicking breakbeat rides underneath the whimsical, breathy vocals. “Every single day, I don’t wanna be away from you,” Ren laments before being met with Cesar’s bouncier–but equally heartfelt–verse: “Please don’t let me lose myself/please don’t switch up on myself I think I’ve had enough.” The heartache and yearning at the core of “ISSUES” shines through in these soulful moments, but are balanced with swirling, murkier electro-chirps and vocaloids.

Buried beneath their shiny exterior, 4vr and 7Minutes2LA bring introspection and insight on “ISSUES,” opening the possibilities of storytelling in electro-pop. Keep up with 4vr on Twitter and Instagram; you can find 7Minutes2LA on Twitter and Instagram.