Citizen Kane moves into a more daring creative phase with the eight-track EP, "do YOU trust INSTINCT?", which dives deeper into the intricate relationship between desire, identity, connection and human instinct. Clocking in at 28 minutes, the project blends synth-pop, electronic textures, and cinematic storytelling to create a sound that is just as at home on the dancefloor as it is in moments of personal reflection. The thought behind this release is what makes it interesting. For Kane, music is only a fraction of a much larger audiovisual universe, with every release adding another piece to an ongoing story. After the previous works “It’s Not Science… It’s A Feeling,” “The Tales of Morpheus” and “Psychedelika Pt.1” this latest chapter sees him adopt a more assertive and confrontational creative persona. His self-described approach to music as rhythm and synth gives the project an interesting foundation, combining physical movement and emotional expression in ways that feel relevant to the contradictions of modern life.
The first of our selection is “interTWINE – Radio Edit”, which immediately immerses us in the project’s obsession with attraction and human connection. The title hints at two lives becoming intertwined, and the electronic-pop direction is an appropriate backdrop for exploring that notion. It’s a nice balance of accessibility and artistic personality that makes for a natural introduction to Kane’s evolving sound. The experience becomes more mysterious as you move into “517s.” The strange title arouses interest even before we get to the music, and its place in this concept-driven collection prompts us to look beyond conventional pop songwriting and consider the wider narrative. “WEB of DESIRE” brings to the focus one of the most recognizable modern themes of the project. In an era in which our relationships are increasingly mediated by technology, the title points to the complex space between online attraction, intimacy and real emotional connection. It’s an intriguing continuation of the EP’s investigation into modern behavior, particularly when Kane takes familiar experiences and uses them as fuel for his distinctive artistic world.
Next up is “dress UP & play GAMES” a title that immediately evokes ideas of performance, seduction, and the many identities we sometimes adopt when negotiating relationships. It fits naturally into the larger context of the EP, which explores desire and the conflict between authenticity and appearance. There’s a theatrical component to the concept, too, which makes sense given Kane’s multidisciplinary background and interest in storytelling beyond music alone. Rounding out our five picks is “NOSEdive,” an interesting take on that moment when curiosity or excitement or bad decisions start to take us somewhere we didn’t expect. It dovetails nicely with the underlying question of the project, whether we should trust our instincts, especially when emotions and rational thought are pulling us in different directions.
What makes “do YOU trust INSTINCT?” an interesting addition to The New Citizen Kane’s catalog is its ambition to be more than just a standalone musical release. The visual identity, its music videos, and the larger four-part “Psychedelika” concept give the project a bigger creative purpose, letting Kane build an artistic world without relying on the traditional structures of the industry. His independent approach also strengthens the personality behind the music, with creative freedom and emotional honesty staying central to the experience. For those interested in pop that combines electronic movement with narrative and modern themes, this EP is an engaging view into an artist who continues to define his own creative language.
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