Boh Doran just released her new EP Robot Girl, a cinematic collection of genre-fluid sounds filled with dreamy nostalgia and colorful narratives. The artist, who is known for her stripped back songwriting, witty humor, and raw intimacy, takes influence from retro soul, pop, electronic, R&B, and synthwave for a mind-melding blend of thoughts and sounds.
In “Cat’s Cradle”, Doran reflects on feeling like a misfit and an outsider, questioning her place in society and the rules that people follow. The song embodies a 90’s aesthetic, featuring Doran’s moody vocals and textured warm guitar. Lyrics such as, “In a city of fakes we gotta make up our own rules / I don’t wanna make mistakes but I still stumble over time / Just my shadow pretending to be a perfect girl tonight,” narrate the personal struggle of trying to be herself in a competitive environment. “Answer Machine” is a standout melancholic indie pop track about losing love. The songwriting is a flash of colorful 90’s and reminds me of Mazzy Star with a bubbly kick. Finally, “Some People” describes the empathy that Doran feels for others, in a song that describes her observance of people who have it all and others who are struggling just to make it out alive. On the EP, Boh Duran confides, “I settled on this ‘Clueless soundtrack but 20 years too late’ sound because it’s the world that got me excited about music. As I’ve gotten more into making visuals and videos, this sound has turned into an experience for me. It’s like a time-capsule-alternate-universe that I transport myself to.”
Boh Duran is a Los Angeles-based DIY musician who is inspired by celebrated artists of the 90s such as The Cranberries, Third Eye Blind, Alanis Morrisette and Cocteau Twins. Most recently she was featured on the “Hello Goodbye” Beatles cover spot for MERCARI/ 2021 Super Bowl. Blending a spectrum of throwback sounds with her own distinct flavor, Boh Duran is an indie artist we will continue to follow.
Check out Boh Duran’s new EP Robot Girl here and enjoy a fresh spin down memory lane.