Austin-based electropop artist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Primo the Alien has just released CHAOSPOP—a 14-track powerhouse that stuns with its cohesion and bold production.
From the first moments, the album leaves you wondering how an artist with this level of sonic mastery isn’t already a household name. The album features musician, producer, and mixer/master VVEBB on four of the 14 tracks, though the majority of the work is Primo performing solo.
The intro track, “3D,” acts as a palette cleanser, helping you shed everything you’ve listened to earlier in the day before stepping into the album.
“Aura” is the first full track, decadent, vibrant, and immersive. If you haven’t heard it before, it’s sure to get your body moving before your brain can catch up. A standout single that deserves more than one listen.
“Bad Girls” carries swag and makes the point that “bad girls have more fun.” Perhaps they do, as the track flaunts a sexy swagger and finesse, showcasing Primo’s ability to play with effects and shift between slowing down and speeding up the tempo.
“F*** Up” acts as a reflective, vulnerable release where Primo lets it all go lyrically. The production matches this energy, mixing in jack-in-the-box–style winding keys that create an eerie, carnival-esque vibe, framing the song as a freak show from the past.
“Do Better,” delivers pure pop bliss. Reminiscent of Britney Spears’ timbre, Primo’s vocals float over production that builds around the 50-second mark before bursting into high gear, taking on a life of its own.
“The Devil Is Real” dives headfirst into dance with a driving four-to-the-floor beat and a seductive bassline that begs to be blasted while driving fast. It’s fun and carries a speed-fueled energy perfect for a night out on the town.
“World Redux” begins as a slow ballad but explodes around the 50-second mark in true Primo fashion. The worlds she builds, she tears down just as easily, showcasing her range—from belting vocals to sharp, staccato lines. It’s dancey, vibey, and reminiscent of early 2000s club tracks you might have heard blasting from Z100.
On the making of CHAOSPOP, Primo The Alien says: “Most of my music is fueled by spite, an act of rebellion in an industry that tells you ‘no’ before you’ve even asked the question. CHAOSPOP is me rejecting those rules and celebrating the freedom of being unseen. The silver-lining of being a ‘nobody’ is that I get to create whatever sounds I hear in my head without anyone’s approval. CHAOSPOP is just that—chaos… the chaos in my mind.”
“What If”—a personal favorite—carries a sultry energy, blending an R&B slow beat with an electropop edge. It also features VVEBB and spotlights Primo’s reverbed, distorted vocals, with a production that constantly shifts and builds until the track erupts with accents that command attention.
“Get Like This” nods to Afrobeats, but Primo’s crisp, cutting vocals slice through the intoxicating, body-moving rhythm, making swaying along inevitable.
“Breakfast” packs a punch, brimming with lyrical attitude underscored by a scattered electronic beat that Primo bends to her will, matching the intensity of her words. It’s powerful and unapologetically confident—a track every woman should play first thing in the morning to set the tone for casually conquering a world that dares to underestimate her.
Skipping to the penultimate track, “Start (Again)” leans into drum and bass, paired with lush, ethereal vocals softer than much of Primo’s other work. Around the one-minute mark, layered drums and vocal sampling push the track into new territory, glitching and fluttering with delicate intensity. It’s a stunning moment that highlights Primo’s artistry, as she masterfully balances texture and contrast in sound.
Ending with “Fly Alone,” Primo closes the album on a lyrically heartbreaking yet inspiring note, exploring the struggle to bloom despite constant obstacles. It’s a beautifully independent and powerful track that highlights her ability to rise above challenges and turn them to her advantage.
All in all, CHAOSPOP reigns supreme with highly visual, descriptive lyrics and production that serves as a masterclass in electronic genres—spanning Dance, Club, Drum and Bass, EDM, and, of course, Electropop.
Photo Credit: Lucienne Nghiem
