Sri Lankan-born Londen singer Gilska weaves a moody and mysterious vibe led by layers of electronic instrumentation and her husky vocal quality on her brand new melancholic house track “Up Till 5”
With catchy, dance-worthy rhythms, the production is minimal yet effective having begun as a simple arrangement of verses and chorus written on the piano. With subtle synths framing the textured vocals, the track was given a dark edge with a haze that wraps around us in a transportive, atmospheric fashion.
Lyrically, the track is self-reflective and observational exploring the urge to chase fleeting highs only to be hit by numbing lows once the rush of partying fades. “It’s almost like being stuck in a loophole of ending up in the club night after night not knowing why,” says Gilska. “Having a slight addiction to partying to get that dopamine rush to feel something, but slowly realizing night after night it’s not working. How the lights, the drinks, and even the music sucks you in and you always end up feeling that same numbness after a temporary high but you keep on dancing anyway.”
Starting with classical training before finding her niche in edgy pop anthems, Gilska’s artistry has evolved into a soulful and hypnotic musical experience, rooted in sophisticated lyrics and captivating vocals.
Her talent for pulling listeners into her intricate sonic world is natural and within her DNA. Taking after her grandfather – a famous pop star in Sri Lanka in his younger years – Gilska who began composing melodies at age nine has managed to build an impressive place for herself in dark pop aided by a magnetic stage presence.
From several performances including at the Wembley stadium for Voice in a Million from 2015-2017 to well-loved releases, Gilska is steadily moving forward on her path to stardom and there’s no stopping her.
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