Exclusive Song Premiere: ‘Trust,’ Clarens

ABOVE: OSSEYNOU CISSÉ, AKA CLARENS.  PHOTO COURTESY OF JEAN SYLVAIN LE GOUIC

“It’s a song about lost friendships,” says Paris-based electronic bedroom-pop artist Clarens, about his latest cut, “Trust,” which we’re pleased to premiere here. Clarens, né Osseynou Cissé in Senegal, was discovered by Juveniles singer Jean Sylvain Le Gouic, and has since spent a year as a touring member of the band: a mixed blessing, to hear Clarens explain it. “Touring is something wonderful, and I was given the chance to meet wonderful people and to play the greatest festivals in France and abroad. But touring is also being away from your town on average four days a week, and not having enough time to see everyone you want to see when at home.

“‘Trust’ is a song for those who never understood this,” Clarens continues. “I’m not the most talkative guy on Earth—that’s why I needed to write this song instead of telling my friends how I felt.” Clarens’ sweetly melancholic vocals, cut against spare synth piano chords and a slowly accelerating IDM beat, bring to mind similarly-inclined solo projects like Blood Orange and Kindness; the artist himself cites influences ranging from Kendrick Lamar to Bombay Bicycle Club to deep-cut math rock and metalcore. “Trust” will be included on Yuksek Presents Partyfine Vol. 1, a compilation celebrating the first birthday of the French producer’s label out next month; the single will also be released on its own on May 12. In the meantime, we’d say “Trust” makes a pretty compelling case for Clarens’ old pals to give him a call.

“TRUST” WILL BE RELEASED MAY 12 VIA PARTYFINE AND INCLUDED ON YUKSEK PRESENTS PARTYFINE VOL. 1, OUT JUNE 16. FOR MORE ON CLARENS, PLEASE VISIT THE ARTIST’S FACEBOOK PAGE.