Purity Ring-Opener yuniVERSE Drops “back2me”
Ahead of a nationwide tour opening for electronic-pop duo Purity Ring, Australian-Indonesian singer-songwriter and producer yuniVERSE unveils her new single, “back2me.” Marking the second single from her forthcoming LP, “‘back2me” acutely reflects the defining aesthetics of this yuniVERSE era – a vibrant mix of R&B and pop filtered through a shimmering lens of nostalgia.
“Back2me” opens with tender synth chord progressions and angelic vocal melodies before riding an 80s-inspired drum fill into the first verse. From there, the listener becomes immersed into yuniVERSE’s captivating world as she sings over the wistful, self-produced instrumental. Then, in the chorus, “back2me” bursts into a swell of emotional catharsis – a section that harmonizes the track’s sonic ethos of 80s grandiosity mixed with glistening Y2K grooves.
“Am I losing you to insecurity/I’ve given you all of me/What do you need to come back/Come back come back to me,” she sings in a rush of soaring melodies. While these lyrics tell an outward story of a partner drifting away – seemingly within the context of a heartbreak ballad – they also capture an inward perspective: a reflection on who this person once was, and reminding themselves that they are, and always have been, enough.
This nostalgic framing also speaks to the song’s central inspiration: yuniVERSE created “back2me” for the child-version of herself, the one who endlessly danced to Janet Jackson, aiming to recreate the kind of song she would have wanted to play again and again.
The self-produced “back2me” exemplifies yuniVERSE’s DIY approach; dating back to her EP SOOKY LALA, the singer-songwriter has produced all of her own music. She extends this distinct creative approach into her visuals as well, where she crafts bold, fantastical worlds that bring her ethereal soundscapes to life.
With such brimming imagination, it is no wonder yuniVERSE caught the attention of Purity Ring’s Corin Roddick, who produced yuniVERSE tracks such as “l8 nite txts” and “wasted.” Now, she will open for the massively influential Purity Ring duo on each date of their 23-stop, nationwide tour – a prime opportunity to showcase her singular artistry to thousands of people.
“back2me” releases alongside a music video co-directed and edited by yuniVERSE and Lloyd Galbraith. Filled with kaleidoscopic visuals and shots of yuniVERSE submerged in water and enveloped by floral, enchanted surroundings, this video is a vivid translation of yuniVERSE’s mystical aura.
“Back2me” follows the swooning ballad “in2 oceans,” which kicked off this new yuniVERSE era.