Villainous acidic buildups, dark techno house, an alt-trap bounce - what seems like a list of different sound bites all comes together in just one existential, all-falls-down track, “FONTANA” by New Saint. You’re drowning in the bass but at the same time charged by the surreal transitions, all of it creating pure movement. If anything, rap has been venturing far and wide when it comes to its chemistry with electronica; you’ve got artists like Danger Incorporated, KayCyy, and even Yeat in his LYFSTYLE era becoming automatically more vulnerable when they find the darkness of synths and energetic beats to use as a backdrop to their melodic expression. New Saint is a hidden gem in this niche, and his debut project SANTO says everything about how crazy experimentalism can get.
New Saint is letting vulnerability play out in motion…
You’ll hear the emo moodboard across the project through the chaotic shouts in the backdrop, the smashed percussions, and the textured vocals that come like bullets with the outpour of repressed emotions. “P.E.T.T.Y” has an industrial beat that’ll have you bopping your head, with a fast flow that feels meant to be passionately relayed to someone personally. But when the beat fades away and the melodies take over, the reminiscing comes through. Hearing your own breakdown unfold in real time through the unpredictability of the beats feels like clashing thoughts. It’s loud at times and contained at others, but always raw.
The craziest part is the short film for SANTO, a confrontational story that preludes the guilt and inner conflict radiating throughout the album - the cost of having made it. There’s a sense that he’s aware of all that’s happened, but instead of reacting, he just pours it into this cathartic collection of pride and pain. The contrast comes together beautifully, leaving you right on that battle line.
Go listen to SANTO out now!
If you’re a fan, check it out with the links below. Love y’all.
Myra | Mar 18. 2026