These days, the music world — industry, business, call it whatever you like — streaming services keep everything in check, algorithms line up pastel playlists, and that’s a fact. It’s a rare occasion to stumble upon an album that takes on the task of healing with such boldness and self-assurance. Apres Pompeii, an emerging artist on the scene, does exactly that with the release of his 13-track new album ‘PAINT’ — a record that grooves, shines, and pulls you in like a magnet, carving out its own distinct path.

Thirteen tracks merge into a unified sonic performance where passion sits alongside tenderness, and refined pop melodies meet the raw, almost physical energy of a dance beat. ‘PAINT’ is meticulously thought out yet delivered with such artistic sweep that it feels as though everything is being created right now, in sync with the body’s movements.

photo by Taylor Noelle

The album opens with ‘PANT’ — a track that raises the curtain and immediately brings all the players onto the stage. Funk and a springy electronic line weave into a single rhythmic wave, while Apres Pompeii’s vocals take on a theatrical, seductive tone, recalling performers equally at ease in a small jazz club or on the main stage of a festival. This opening serves as a manifesto that ‘PAINT’ will be a complete show.

After such a striking introduction, Apres Pompeii skilfully draws in intrigue. In ‘SMOKE’ there’s a sense of comfort, almost intimacy, with minimalist, whispery vocals. The musical atmosphere evokes a foggy dance floor filled with mystery and allure. As the melody unfolds, it transforms into a theatrical spectacle, grand and full of drama. This shift — from delicate to monumental — is executed flawlessly.

It’s immediately followed by ‘BOLT’, which lands a powerful hit. The drum lines send shivers down your spine, while retro synth-pop energy merges with a commercially edged, infectious vocal delivery that seeps into every cell. ‘BOLT’ radiates an energy that invites you to surrender to the rhythm. It’s pure, unfiltered synth-pop with its eyes set confidently on the future while keeping a grip on its roots. Perfect for a night drive through the city, with the lights flashing by and the pulse of the beat making you part of it.

By the middle of ‘PAINT’, the atmosphere shifts. If the early tracks were blazing spotlights, the second half glows softer yet deeper. ‘BREAKER’ is the peak of this mood — synths stretch the notes to their limits, creating the illusion of sound dissolving into the air, while the rhythm turns almost meditative.

‘COOL’ brings back the flirtation and drive. You can hear Apres Pompeii’s enjoyment in experimenting — light vocal forays, percussive accents, and unexpected pauses after which the rhythm returns with double force. This track works like an invitation: it smiles at you, already certain you’ll accept.

photo by Taylor Noelle

The final stretch of the album takes on an almost confessional tone. ‘HANDS’ puts the vocals front and centre, with the arrangement amplifying every emotion. ‘ROOTS’ feels like a release — bright keys, light retro percussion, and springy synth beats create a sense that the journey has ended, and now it’s time to enjoy the moment.

The closing track ‘PAINT’ changes the rules. More atmospheric, with an indie-alternative shade, it plays like the end credits of a film you’re reluctant to leave. Here, Apres Pompeii steps beyond the dance floor to show that his music belongs anywhere — from a club line-up to an art gallery performance.

‘PAINT’ is an album about freedom, the body, and the beauty of the moment. It embraces brightness, sensuality, and refinement all at once. Apres Pompeii blends genres without fear of losing identity, offering listeners a space where thirteen stories can be lived in one night. Like any great show, it leaves you wanting to come back the next day and experience it all over again. It never feels like “a bunch of tracks thrown together and called an album” — everything plays as one continuous set, with moods flowing seamlessly from one state to another. It’s the rare moment when you want to hear everything in sequence, not just pick a couple of hits for a playlist.

There’s a pleasant confidence here, the kind that comes from an artist who knows exactly what he’s doing. Apres Pompeii blends danceable bounce with quieter, almost private moments, and nothing falls apart — if anything, the contrast makes the album hit harder. One track has you on a packed club dance floor, the next finds you at home with a glass of wine, thinking that life feels pretty good.

‘PAINT’ is an evening that went perfectly: it was fun, it was beautiful, it had a touch of melancholy at the end, but everything felt right. And, for me, a huge plus — it never drowns in drama or slips into excessive seriousness. Everything is delivered with an easy, natural grace. Even when the music moves into atmosphere, there’s still a pulse that pulls you along.

It’s an album you genuinely want to replay. It works on every level: as background energy, as a soundtrack to an evening, and as something you put on just to enjoy how well it all fits together. Apres Pompeii has made a record you’ll keep coming back to, because it captures a mood that lingers.

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