How Does Something So Sweet Sound So Sharp?
TANYA is an independent alt-pop producer whose reputation rests on crafting unfiltered music from a place of introspection, but her latest single, “Sugarcoating,” presents a fascinating, almost deceptive layer of polish.
On the surface, this track is a mesmerising wash of sound – a gentle, smooth groove incorporating Lo-fi textures and R&B elements. Yet, it’s in the sharp friction between the song’s soothing aesthetic and its lyrical core that the real intrigue lies. The atmosphere TANYA builds is one of pure calm, underscored by sporadic, percussion and ethereal, angelic backing vocals. It’s the kind of sound that promises comfort, which makes the central question—what exactly is being sugarcoated? – the ultimate, deliciously unsettling hook.
The song is notable in how certain sonic qualities are used to misdirect. The main vocal is beautifully smooth, gliding over the keyboards with a silken texture, but the message it carries is delivered in an almost dark manner, lilting yet resonant. This emotional disconnect is encapsulated by the track’s artwork – a down-to-earth image of a British cafe counter, a bottle of sugar about to be poured, transforming a simple act into a loaded question. It forces you to revisit the track’s intriguing line: “I won’t find it sickly even though it is sticky, I’ll eat it all in one sitting.” This isn’t just a simple confession; it’s a statement that raises the stakes.
Ultimately, “Sugarcoating” is a cracking piece of independent alt-pop, showcasing TANYA as an artist capable of using sonic silkiness to hide a raw, sticky truth. The track is one for your rotation, not just for its clever execution, but for the psychological knot it leaves you with. Listen, then come back here to debate what’s being sugarcoated.
– Stephen Choi for Up and Comers
The Music and Planet Project 
Leave a comment