Whereas before, the music was more focused on rapping, on this album, Glints finds a balance between singing and rapping. Showing off his vocal and songwriting abilities even more, fully embracing his growing up as an opera choirboy and playing in bands throughout his teenage years. It’s not just the singing that is reminiscent of his early choirboy years; the sound palette of the album leans towards the operatic and grandiose, making use of majestic horn sections (and of course, choirs) all over the tracks. The electronic side which we know Glints so well for, however, never disappears.
What we get is a well-rounded and mature artist exploring what is possible. This translates to a powerful and focused selection of tracks that is all killer, no filler. As always, the production was provided by Glints’ best friend and beat-brother-in-arms Yong Yello, who is also a member of the Antwerp Abattoir Anvers collective.
One word to best describe the album would be ‘cinematic,’ and this is no coincidence as the album is set up as a movie called THE DARK!. On this ‘soundtrack, Glints explores and investigates the darkness in each and every one of us through character studies of dark archetypes while making use of classic movie tropes: the peeping Tom in ‘Rear Window,’ the modern-day lonesome cowboy in ‘Taurine Rider,’ the cheat in ‘She Flew The Coop,’ the narcissistic asshole in ‘Just A Prick,’ and even the dark personified in the title track ‘The Dark!’. Though this might seem gloomy in theory, playfulness and musicality are always kept at the forefront. The album never becomes scary but is an immersive and highly entertaining collection of short story tracks.
On his sophomore album, Glints is in good company, with features from Roméo Elvis, Blu Samu, Feux (UK), and even Belgian legend Daan. Next to hit single 'Roma', the album is jam-packed with catchy tracks that have everything it takes to become instant Glints classics. This is only the start of the next chapter for Glints who is playing a sold-out AB May 6th, Les Ardentes, and many more festivals this summer. For now, however, only one question remains: are you still afraid of the dark?
Glints is a Belgian rapper and singer. He’s a member of the ‘Abattoir Anvers’ collective, that operates out of a defunct halal slaughterhouse in Antwerp. Everything from production, to artwork, to shooting videos happens in-house, by members of the collective.
Glints has a distinct UK accent, as the language was always around growing up, thanks to his British aunt and nephews. He took many trips across the pond to London, visiting his surrogate family, which resulted in his signature British speech.
Growing up as a choirboy in the opera, he is not your everyday rapper. This background informs his unique style: Fusing grandiose choirs and operatic elements with beats and fierce raps.
In 2020 Glints released his debut album ‘Choirboy’ which he presented in a sold-out AB. The album was produced by his beat-brother-in-arms Yong Yello, also a member of the Abattoir Anvers collective. The collaboration resulted in successful singles such as ‘Bugatti’, ‘Gold Veins’ and ‘Lemonade Money’.
After hit-single Roma and All In, Glints returns with a brand-new album THE DARK! which he’ll present at AB on May 6.
Live:
06.05.2023 — ANCIENNE BELGIQUE, BRUSSELS
28.05.2023 — CORE FESTIVAL, BRUSSELS (TBA)
06.07.2023 — LES ARDENTES, ROCOURT
19.07.2023 — BOOMTOWN, GHENT
