We’ve been rocking to Gianluca’s earnest brand of float-tank trap for a minute, but the young Chilean singer and producer has leveled up several notches with the first single off his upcoming debut studio album.
On “Sismo,” Gianluca prods at his evolving self regard. “Creo que estoy más serio de lo que pensaba,” he says. Given his recent glo up, powered by a set at Chile’s Lollapalooza, a few well-liked singles with Internet paisana Princess Alba, and a brand-new affiliation with indie Chilean label Quemasucabeza, Gianluca may not be the only one recalibrating thoughts on his music industry trajectory.
The gloomy percussion produced by local beatsmith Tytokush on “Sismo” sounds more akin to well-worn paths of trap en español than the sunnier reggaeton pop territory most recently explored by Gianluca on singles like “Amor Platónico.” He says it’s “a production unlike anything [he’s] ever seen or made,” the singer commented on the song in a press release.
That slight sonic repositioning is underlined by the appearance of Pablo Chill-E, the Santiago trapero who launched his far more street-focused career at the tender age of 14. Pablo’s inclusion on Gianluca’s commercial milestone may indicate a desire for the latter’s team to locate their artist in Santiago’s grittier galaxy of trap hustle.
The track’s visually arresting video, crafted by Chilean director Bernardo Quesney (who worked with Gepe and Javiera Mena, among others) is appropriately flashy for a breakout moment. Quesney says the concept was inspired by a series of hypnosis sessions. “What surprised me was how modern everything was: a man was bringing me back through my memories using a microphone,” he said, describing the violence he saw during the experience as something akin to what’s “created after a natural disaster, like an earthquake.” It also features a passel of young things shorn in the same neon-headed manner as Gianluca; the viewer can’t help but be reminded of Bad Bunny’s gender-swap fraternal twin in his recent “Caro” imagery.
“This song is a total change in Gianluca’s concept – a lot darker, leaving behind a certain nostalgia,” said Quesney.
Watch the video for “Sismo” below: