From the quietude of his bedroom studio in the South-West of England, 19-year old Harri Hocking has emerged with an audacious alter-ego – lilac frog. By combining heavy synth-based productions with narrative-driven lyrics, this talented multi-instrumentalist has forged a unique niche in the realms of electro-pop and indie-pop.
Evolution is a central theme in Hocking’s musical journey, encompassing various identities until the embrace of his present incarnation. Initiated in 2022 as an outlet for his many musical explorations, the alias of ‘lilac frog’ has since blossomed into a vibrant character that serves as a conduit for his expression, passion, and creativity.
Hocking’s music takes listeners on an immersive journey. His aspiration is to transport them to his carefully constructed universe – the ‘lilac pond’. True to his music production roots, each of Hocking’s songs is an individual audio tapestry, woven with complex, vibrant, and colorful electronic arrangements.
lilac frog’s skill in crafting minimalistic yet richly layered compositions shines brightly in ‘How The Curtain Closes,’ a track that stands out for its artistic depth. This song is a testament to lilac frog’s impressive versatility and hints at the significant potential of this young artist.
We were also captivated by other notable tracks in the album, such as ‘Blood In the Water’, ‘Never Change’, ‘In My Mind’, and ‘See Straight Through Me’.
‘Blood In the Water’ stands out with its cinematic and darker tone. It’s more aggressive than other tracks, showcasing lilac frog’s range in both production, songwriting, and building different tones throughout the album.
‘In My Mind’ is a four-minute gem that features further detailed production. The seamless blend of keys, vocals, and subtle pads creates an enchanting soundscape. The moment at 0:53 in the track is particularly striking, which we absolutely enjoyed (and needed).
If the introspective ballad that concludes his debut album, “Until Next Time (Diving Under)”, is any indication of what’s to come, fans of lilac frog are in for a treat. With a delicate blend of piano, pads, and minimal percussion, this track paints a compelling ending to an already remarkable album.
The themes Hocking explores in his music are as distinct and varied as his production style. His debut album ‘lilac pond’ debuted in December with 12 tracks lush with visual storytelling, touching upon a broad spectrum of experiences from friendships, relationships, self-reflection, and more.
The lilac frog’s goal is to provide listeners with a creative escape and a space for introspection. Hocking hopes that each song’s unique narrative will draw listeners deeper into his imagined world and encourage them to engage with his music in a more profound way.
Much focus has been given to the production and songwriting of ‘lilac pond’. Every track showcases the album’s immaculate sound design, further accentuated by the contributions of fellow artists such as ‘undy’, and singer-songwriter ‘Mia Robson’. It presents a cohesive body of work that seamlessly combines retro and modern sounds, placing lilac frog as someone to keep your eye on in innovative electronic music production.
Subsequent to the release of ‘lilac pond’, Hocking is now in a period of rest and recoup. His focus is to avoid creative burnout while strategically working on ideas that will flesh out his lilac frog persona further in 2024.
Hocking’s debut album ‘lilac pond’ is a testament to his prodigious talent and creative vision. While we await his future works, listeners can immerse themselves in his diverse body of work on all major streaming platforms, bearing witness to his captivating transformation from a fledgling Garageband enthusiast to a profound creator. To keep in touch with lilac frog, follow him on Instagram or on his Linktree instead, for it’s where the most intimate details of his songs, releases, and upcoming projects unfurl in real-time.
