It’s a new year and and a new era for Australian recording artists, instereo
Launching into 2018 with their latest single, ‘Cruel’, X Factor alumni, instereo, are showcasing a reinvigerated look and sound for the former trio who shot to fame as live-show finalists on the reality TV show in 2015.
The start of the new year has seen the former three-piece boy band take the opportunity to re-invent themselves as a duo, the single marks a new interpretation of R&B in the Australian pop landscape through its blend of multiple music genres. The track shot into the itunes chart at #22 this week ahead of its release to commercial radio on Monday, January 22, 2018.
The Sydney-based duo consists of members Jakob Delgado and Chris Lanzon. The pair has experienced considerable post-reality TV success since their last release, Day In Day Out EP which peaked at #1 on the iTunes album chart in 2017 and collectively that have amassed over 300,000 followers on their social media platforms.
Now 17 years old, singer Chris Lanzon said Cruel represented the transition of the duo from post-reality teens to independently-recognised young-adult artists.
“In the past we’ve sometimes been pigeon-holed as a reality boy band. Now we’ve had an opportunity to reinvent ourselves and create music with different flavours; merging pop, R&B and electronica” said Lanzon.
“Our voices have changed quite a bit, along with our musical influences, who now include artists like Drake, Khalid, Blackbear and Post Malone.”
Cruel is a song that represents being stuck in an emotionally bad place where there is no love and no escape. The track was co-written by Delgardo and Lanzon along with producer Liam Quinn and Holly Martin.
The duo recently embarked on a trip to Broken Hill in the middle of the Australian outback to film visuals for the music video in Silverton, one of Australia’s most remote ghost towns, to mimic what it was like to be in a “cruel” and lonely environment.
“In Silverton, there was nowhere to go, nothing to do, and nobody to talk to, which is exactly what Cruel is about” said Delgado.
“At our age, we can face so many difficulties, especially in the relationships that we have, and we know that our fans will relate to our own personal experiences as they have been growing with us and going through the same things.”
“We have had a steep and exciting learning curve, and realise now that, as we grow, our fans are also maturing with us and experiencing the same life lessons that we have been, which we want to show in our music.”
Aside from their recent chart and TV success, instereo have also achieved credits such as a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award blimp and multiple ARIA-charting singles and EPs.
Cruel is available now on itunes and the music video is slated for release on Friday, January 19, 2018 and can be viewed here:
https://youtu.be/Gp4Dsq9P-HE