There is a delicious dark pop undertone to the sound of Melbourne artist Bonita Habils in her new single ‘Underdressed’. Habils’s vocals are luscious and whispered with a velvet cloaking, the expression and delivery filled with a deep yearning, with a late night red velvet lounge atmosphere – a absinthe-soaked early morning loucheness.
You can detect in the genetic strands a little Lorde, a little Lana Del Ray and a touch of P.J. Harvey, all with a vocal range of Kate Bush. The song coasts on an almost Spanish influenced dappling guitar that ripples beneath the surface. The lyrics are a deeply personal exposé of vulnerability, as the title suggests:
I hold myself at high regard, but don’t take me lightly. My solid frame and tiny face do not define me, Underdressed as your girl, when I want to be more than your world
And at the core is a steely spine of strength and resilience. Habils says:
It’s about a situationship, when you want more than the other person is willing to give
This sentiment bleeds through every note, resulting in something majestic and atmospheric:
This is a gorgeous track and Habils is clearly a force to be reckoned with. ‘Underdressed’ is out now and available to download and stream here.
