“Pretend” is a hard song to describe, probably because it’s almost like 2 diametrically opposite songs in one, joint together by XIMXIA’s multi-form talent.
In the verses, “Pretend” is a moody orchestral pop that swells and swells, layer after layer, welling up like a giant wave of emotion that is bound to overtake everything in its way, until it pours out with ferocious force. Both the musical arrangement and XIMXIA’s voice radiate an energy that comes from deep within and has now gained too much momentum to be stopped or restrained in any way.
But instead of the expected explosion in the chorus, we get a 180-degree turn to a sugary top 40 that is somehow super charming and catchy, almost as if it’s purposely cheesy, which gives off an infectious vibe of playful innocence that is concentrated in XIMXIA’s girly singing. On paper, a switch this sudden and a contrast this stark should never work, but they actually break the song up very nicely and create a sense of true uniqueness and unpredictability. Both moods in “Pretend” are intense in their own right, and this shift is a great way to spice things up and keep the energy fresh.
“Pretend” is an unusual and experimental song which reveals different aspects of XIMXIA’S spontaneous talent, which can pour out into various forms.
