Our obsession with Antoin Gibson seems to grow with every listen. We recently featured the rising artist for her introspective and cinematic new single, Dead End, so when we heard that Antoin was back with the brilliantly titled, Venom-Laced Tears, we couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
Drawing us in with atmospheric vocalizations, a whirring bassline and pulsating beat with an ad-lib tag of Circum-Sŏnus and breathy details, Antoin Gibson opens Venom-Laced Tears with the dimensionality that we have come to appreciate from the project.
Antoin’s signature high concept poetic prowess comes into play with the opening prose, “Shedding skin deep is as far as my concentration could care for you, teardrops of venom cleanse the disease by disintegrating you…”
The opus expands to utilize heavy imagery of poison, snakes and biblical references to explore notions of a toxic, manipulative relationship. Antoin presents herself as someone dangerous and emotionally corrosive,
We love the key metaphor of tears that act like venom to destroy the other person. The lyricism suggests transformation and emotional damage, whilst Antoin is aware that her presence contaminates the other person, yet she embraces that destructive identity.
There is a cinematic allure that manifests, and there is no doubt that Venom-Laced Tears would be perfect for a sync placement in a film like the upcoming sequel to Jennifer’s Body, or a pivotal scene in a TV show like Euphoria on HBO.
Major themes of the track are narcissism and power. Repeated lines about being the “forbidden fruit” and thriving in being “dissolute” suggest that Antoin enjoys being desired and tempting others, even whilst acknowledging her own moral decay.
Overall, the song feels like a dark self-portrait of someone who weaponizes attraction and emotional manipulation. By the end, the imagery of fangs, prey, and being “wrapped up in me” reinforce the idea that anyone drawn to Antoin inevitably becomes entangled and consumed by this toxic love. It is brilliantly produced and the dark-pop ethereal vibes are sublime.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Venom-Laced Tears to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream Dead End, and anticipate future releases from Antoin Gibson!
Cover art for Venom-Laced Tears and promotional photos taken by Hannah Jones, digital graphic artist Simon Porter and costume and make-up designer Stephanie Baird