REVIEW

The debut EP from BLAKSWAN, a solo project by Matthew Bonder.

The project name is derived from Darren Aronofsky’s film Black Swan, a reference that hints at the darker psychological territory explored here. Bonder is also known as the drummer for the instrumental math / post-rock band Of Two Minds, but under the BLAKSWAN moniker he primarily operates within a hip-hop framework, positioning rap at the core of the EP.

What makes this release particularly notable, however, is the unexpected inclusion of a single shoegaze track amid the hip-hop material. That track is #5 “Stomach.” Described by Bonder himself as “Gothic Deftones” and “Dark Shoegaze,” the song immediately distinguishes itself from the surrounding tracks. Massive guitar riffs underpin a vocal performance charged with grief and anger, creating an emotional surge that feels both raw and overwhelming.

The track’s closing section is especially striking: pick scratches escalate tension before collapsing into a final chorus with remarkable cathartic force. Combined with its twilight-toned, decadently moody visuals, the song leaves a lasting impression that far exceeds its singular placement within the EP. It stands as a moment where BLAKSWAN’s aesthetic fully coheres, suggesting a direction with considerable expressive potential.

The remainder of the EP is largely rap-focused and leans toward an emo-rap sensibility, occasionally incorporating rock-inflected guitar textures. While those tracks fall outside a shoegaze-centered discussion, they nonetheless indicate a willingness to blur stylistic boundaries. Given the strength of “Stomach,” the possibility of further exploration into darker, guitar-driven territory remains an intriguing prospect.

For listeners attentive to the darker edges of shoegaze and its intersections with alternative and metal-adjacent forms, BLAKSWAN is a project worth keeping an eye on.