Today I’m really happy to review an experimental EP that deserves a lot of praise! The quality, the sound design, a fresh view on the scene and that vocal all come together and make this new release from Skycabin a REAL top.
If you don’t know them yet, Skycabin is a duo whose story is deeply tied to Iran. Farbod Khoshtinat is the singer, producer and director, based in LA (he’s shot music videos for Snoop Dogg and Pitbull, no big deal), while Sepand Bahrami handles the sound engineering, production and guitars from San Francisco. They met in Malaysia years ago and only made the band official in 2020. Their influence are a mix of Massive Attack, Bjork and Radiohead as the starting point, then add trip-hop and some warped R&B. Knowing all this, the themes on this EP make a lot more sense.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect going in. Experimental projects can easily turn into a pile of ideas that never land, so I pressed play a bit careful. By the end I was starting it again from the top. It’s a strange feeling: dark and moody most of the time, but somehow comforting, like someone telling you their story late at night.
COVET: A Study in Ambition
I got caught by the magic essence of “COVET” straight away. It sings about ambition over a mysterious, exotic alternation of metal guitars and synths. Minimal, but forceful. There isn’t much going on at once, yet every guitar hit lands like it means it, and the vocal is strong and emotional without ever going over the top. The lyrics on home and immigration really impressed me too, especially given the difficult times we’re living in, and they come across as really personal. It’s the title track and the protagonist of the EP, but there’s much more here.
Atmospheric Depth and Experimental Flair
The EP continues with “MIRAGE” (82/100), which utilizes a slow but steady bassline and electronic synths to create a hypnotic atmosphere. The percussion and subtle background mumbles add a layer of depth that rewards repeated listens. Following this, “OBJECT OF DESIRE” (77/100) showcases the duo’s willingness to play with listener expectations, shifting between piano-led balladry and darker, grittier textures.
“MIDNIGHT GHOST” (78/100) stands out for its exceptional guitar work and a unique tribal-infused percussion that perfectly complements its melancholic mood. Finally, “HYSTERIA” (83/100) serves as the experimental centerpiece, featuring a hypnotic melody and seamless transitions into Drum and Bass-inspired rhythms that bring the project to a powerful, high-energy close.
Overall, “COVET” is a small EP with a lot of character. Every track goes somewhere different, but the guitars, the synths and that vocal keep it all sounding like one story.
