We have been intently following the rise of superstar-in-the-making Josh Tepper, and recently reviewed Built Me, and the evocative, Always Everywhere, so when we heard that he has just released Poison Apple, we couldn’t wait to listen and feed back.
Establishing the mood with a dimensional synthscape, Josh opens Poison Apple with situational prose as he sings, “Everything was coming together, we can almost taste forever, we had a dream, we were a team, against the world, you and me…”
Things are not always as they seem, and we swiftly learn that the opus is about a toxic relationship. The popstar from New York sings, “Don’t want to eat your Poison Apple…”, and confesses that the inspiration for the track comes from his “experience of being in a toxic environment a little over a year ago.”
Josh tells us, “The song is about leaving the toxicity and learning that sometimes the most shiny things can come with many negative aspects. In other words, Poison Apple is the anthem for taking back your freedom, leaving the negative, and staying strong.”
He adds that the hook “represents not biting into someone’s toxic and abusive control” and hope that the song will inspire people to stand up for themselves.
We find self-realization and an assertive independence in the mood of the song, and appreciate what it takes for the artist to share his wisdom through learned experience. The empowering final result is intricate and immersive.
We have added Poison Apple to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we contiunue to stream Josh Tepper‘s wider discography including both versions of Built Me, Walking in Memphis and of course, Always Everywhere!