Aston Fenley Hits the Sweet Spot on "Starburst"

Aston Fenly unleashes a dreamy-dramatic galaxy of sound on his most recent release: “Starburst.” A native Dane and current Los Angeles resident, Aston Fenly’s Instagram bio reads “emotional gangsta,” a duality that’s apparent in his raw and raucous music. He depicts a heavy, passionate love that’s equal parts tumultuous and captivating. His lover has no interest in taking things slow as Fenly compares the girl to a storm, four-way, and even Ernest Hemingway.

“Oh, starburst, starburst, do you feel it, does it ever make your heart burn?” he asks, first in a low droning tone over a heavy bassline before exploding on the chorus as a cacophony of 808s and snappy snares lie under his higher pitched vocals. Having cited My Chemical Romance as his favorite non-rap act, it’s no surprise that Fenly invokes darker metaphors and sultry guitars/bass. “Starburst” in its introductory notes is even momentarily reminiscent of the New Jersey based emo group’s song “Give ‘Em Hell Kid” off of their sophomore effort Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. This delicious blend of rockstar-meets-rap sound carries “Starbust” through its glorious two and a half minute run time.

Vino Tarantino is infectious as he takes the reins of “Starbust,” with a voice that echoes the staple accent of pop-punk vocalists. At points his verse enters melancholy as he claims that “it’s not my time yet, but they wishing me dead” and complains that “I did what I had to, and now they’re mad.” However, Tarantino stays true to the track’s rock-meets-pop energy as he slips into fun rap tropes as he boasts “Water down, VVS.” A tasteful opposite to Aston Fenly’s rockstar tones and kicking guitars, the combination of sing-songy lines and more classic rap bars allows Tarantino to shine on “Starburst.”