The DJINN by Carlos Ucedda is inspired by ancient mythology, but with an electronic twist. The track tells the tale of a genie who is stuck inside a lamp and wants to be free, yet he must make wishes for others. The struggle between power and captivity is present throughout the entire song.
In this context, Carlos' classical training comes across in an unusual but effective way. Each vocal phrase is carefully placed, even in a powerful electronic beat, reflecting his background in Baroque music and sacred singing. It comes out somewhere between opera and dance music, and the blend is appropriate.
The singing is quite dramatic. He has a definite sense of boldness in his singing, repeating lines with assurance and longer phrases with control. He's not lacking in drama here, and the song certainly gains from it. The effect and echo around his voice, and it has an otherworldly quality that is appropriate for the theme.
The rhythm section is the backbone of the song, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the arrangement. A steady electronic beat and repeating synth lines drive it forward with tension created early on, before slowly letting it out. The pacing is not rushed, so that the larger moments are more impactful when they come.
The most impressive thing is how personal the track is, even though it's based on mythology. In this story Carlos has revealed that he wanted to investigate concepts of power, freedom and fate, and that he has done this well. This is not a background thing. It invites the listener to listen and ponder.
It has not been easy for him to get where he is. He studied formal voice training in Granada, performed for several years, and then took a hiatus from performing and began working on visual art projects throughout Europe. The DJINN is like everything that has happened in those years collated into one. A bold work from an artist who is a mix of the old and the new.
