The London-based artist Antoin Gibson makes a comeback with her latest single titled “Venom-laced Tears.” This unique Dark-Pop song portrays the instant of becoming a master of your life, after you have gone through that feeling of vulnerability. “Venom-laced Tears” was released for the whole world to hear on March 6th, and it seems that with this release, Gibson tries to convey a message to the listeners. With this single, Gibson shows a transformation he is going through, that of becoming strong enough to be immune to all sorts of emotional pains and suffering.
The song kicks off with a surprising and stunning performance of mouth percussion, an amazing rhythm and melody created by the voice of an angel, which seems to surprise you at first and then leaves you feeling grounded before the rest of the music builds up. However, once the beat takes over and the intro develops, it becomes clear why people call it an addictive track. In fact, one cannot help but become absolutely obsessed by the amazing transition from the gentle sounds of the voice to the impressive groove that can only be described as a unique combination of heaviness and sophistication.
In “Venom-laced Tears,” Antoin Gibson manages to reclaim the term vulnerability, removing its connotations of weakness and turning it on its head into the most potent form of strength. The song explores the dark places in the human psyche, places that people do not wish to confront and face because of the way it transforms vulnerability into something deadly. It is a journey into one of the strongest yet least spoken about forms of vulnerability, when it becomes a weapon. The song functions as a constant reminder that there exists the kind of clarity that can be truly daunting only when one stops running away. The instant one rises up, speaks of their challenges, and acknowledges their existence, the chaos that constitutes the fight turns into controllable ground. The key point is that in Gibson’s universe, the instant one admits to their own demons, they get the reigns in hand. All of a sudden, that vulnerability that one experienced as an open wound transforms into armor, bestowing them with that coveted control.
The sound design of the song is one of the most interesting examples of musical construction. The dynamics are limited on purpose in order to let the listener focus entirely on the precise vocals of Antoin Gibson. There is something snake-like about the composition – an elegant and sinister slither that weaves symbols of forbidden fruit and self-revolution as a skin-shedding process. This is not a mellow healing of some wounds or a comforting song to listen to when the time requires you to recover – on the contrary, this composition is a call to arms, which requires to create oneself anew. The creation here means taking up your weapons rather than being vulnerable enough to heal. The singer does not ask for help but instead invites his listeners to watch him put on his heavy armor. It is a kind of dark-pop song with an alluring atmosphere created specifically in such a manner. And there is venom in the “venom-laced tears” because everything that was once harmful can become a strong weapon of a new person. The skin-shedding process brings its rewards and leaves a strong mark behind.
It is quite an uncommon feeling to come across music that doesn’t just change one’s environment, but also their very personal inner world. “Venom-laced Tears” is an example of that uncommonness. The song is one that you cannot help but want to share not because it has become something of an automatic response, but because it is genuinely worth sharing with people. The beauty about this track lies in how it manages to be dark-pop and philosophical at the same time. It’s no surprise that Antoin Gibson has bestowed upon us the template for emotional freedom, showing us that our “venom” does not have to work against us but can serve as our shield and that we may cry but, our tears are venomous!. It’s a song that resonates long after we listen to it, reminding us in our quietest moments that we too must stand in our power. And this is why it serves as a warning from me to all of you: do not restrict access to this genius. Embrace, listen, and let it fill your body.
Stream “Venom Laced Tears” on Spotify
Follow Antoin Gibson here and his socials: Instagram, Bandcamp
