Leading listeners into the darkness, Rare DM’s latest single “The Ring” skillfully merges coldwave, minimal techno, and electroclash to produce a haunting melody that persists even after the last note has faded away.
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Stream: “The Ring” – Rare DM
No one crafts atmospheric tracks with the same finesse as Rare DM, the musical endeavor led by Erin Hoagg. Since her launch in 2017, she has forged a unique identity in the New York City underground scene, gaining acclaim for her evocative post-punk and bloghouse tunes, alongside her entrancing live performances. Her new release, “The Ring,” ventures into a darker realm than ever before. While she has frequently explored themes of vulnerability in her work, this time, Hoagg guides her audience into the abyss.
The Ring – Rare DM
I’ve got a book of matches
You’ve got a VCR
Handwritten note in blood
You’ve got a scar
With a driving bass line and haunting synths, “The Ring” is just as disconcerting as the horror film that shares its name. The piece juxtaposes the industrial edge of electroclash with the immersive melodies of EBM, and just as listeners begin to settle in, Hoagg’s voice emerges: “Don’t get caught in the ring — you’ll regret it.” Her voice drifts above the track, weary and ghostly, recounting her experiences and foreshadowing what lies ahead. There’s an assurance in her words, but what makes her so definitive?
At its essence, the song is a tragedy.
“‘The Ring’ is a journey into the chaos you created by trying to make things better,” Hoagg clarifies.
“It deals with a misunderstanding — did you make things worse by trying to address it? You attempted to mend the situation, and now it’s even more complicated. Who is the true enemy now?”
As she navigates listeners through the song, Hoagg underscores the challenge of reversing her missteps, yet the circumstances appear predetermined, perhaps contrary to her desires. It paints an interpersonal horror story.
Don’t know how I noticed
Must be hypervigilance
I’ll keep on over-analyzing it
Rare DM © Calvin Stark
This is deliberate. “The Ring” draws extensively from the 2002 American remake of the Japanese horror film Ringu, which has evolved into a cult classic. In the narrative, the main character uncovers a cursed VHS tape that forecasts the viewer’s demise seven days post-viewing. The film’s characters exert every effort to avert the curse, but death remains unavoidable. Their naive attempts lead to irreversible outcomes, mirroring the plight depicted in Rare DM’s track.
Hoagg has initiated a chain of events, resulting in a spiraling situation that cannot be halted. The anxiety embedded in the track stems from Hoagg’s remorse and the realization that she has opened a door that cannot be shut.
Tried to destroy it
Tried to burn it
Throw it away
7 days
The music video enhances the distorted atmosphere Hoagg is creating. She stretches across car seats racing through the dark and wanders through the deepest shadows of a forest.
“In the video, I am the driver, chasing and being chased, situated in the passenger seat, and getting lost in the woods. It’s intricate,” she acknowledges.
“Just like the situation behind the song. It’s not a neatly resolved matter – not an acquaintance you’ve severed ties with or a partner you’ve parted ways with. It’s something murky and more sinister.”
Watching, you can sense something lurking, but as red and green lights illuminate her face, you wonder if it is an otherworldly evil, as depicted in the film, or the artist herself. You feel an urge to continue listening, striving to piece together a story, yet complete understanding eludes you – and that’s precisely the point.
Rare DM © Calvin Stark
While electronic music has become increasingly accessible and palatable, Rare DM stands apart. Her art is reflective and visceral, embedding danceable rhythms with an unsettling quality that prompts listeners to glance over their shoulders even amidst their enjoyment. Hoagg approaches with the weight of a foreboding omen, providing not resolution, but caution, urging you to face the subtle fears that permeate her lyrics.
Despite the palpable suspense throughout, “The Ring” offers an exhilarating preview of what’s to come for Hoagg.
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Stream: “The Ring” – Rare DM
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Guiding the audience into the darkness, Rare DM’s latest single “The Ring” skillfully merges coldwave, minimal techno, and electroclash, creating a haunting piece that resonates even after the last note has disappeared.