CIFIKA - “now or never” (feat. Crush & Woo)

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 9

Pairs Well With…Aseul, Jain, Elohim

Downtempo electronic pop artist CIFIKA released one single since her sophomore EP PRISM, the smoothly funky “now or never” composed alongside collaborators Crush & Woo. While still following CIFIKA’s patterns of chill ambience, “now or never” is one of the poppiest in her catalog versus some of her more psychedelic, experimental material. The lounge-soul melodies fit her sound well and could be a signpost for the next evolution of CIFIKA coming in 2020. (Kevin McStravick)

2019 Review: Korean pop artist CIFIKA embodies a space of ambient tones, synth-led creations that are ripe for experimentation around dance-pop music. Mostly in Korean with sporadic verse/chorus in English, her bilingual approach matches the mysterious vibes that flow through her 2018 EP PRISM. Psychedelic, melodic inventions play key roles in CIFIKA’s music, creatively produced that subtly create multi-part modes within PRISM’s songs. Uber-chill moments are interjected with thick, industrial beats when least expected, ever-changing moods around a core of grey, organic pop music. It’s particularly interesting how CIFIKA is able to bridge an Eastern and Western sound, an appeal that spreads beyond language like a digital, musical bridge.