Artemas Diamandis is a true viral breakout star, his popularity on TikTok translating into a level of mainstream success that saw the lead single from this project, “i like the way you kiss me”, climb into the very upper reaches of Apple Music’s Top 100 in the UK, Australia and a number of European countries during April 2024. yustyna sees the British Cypriot singer-songwriter plunge deeper into the sonic landscape established on his February 2024 mixtape, pretty—a glowering ’80s-influenced sound, thrumming with sleazy, hedonistic energy. “i like the way you kiss me” opens yustyna and sets the tone with its racing pulse of grungy electro that lands somewhere between the alt-R&B stylings of The Weeknd and the genre-merging rock pioneered by acts like Bloc Party. “i always knew you’d be the death of me” camouflages an irresistible earworm melody beneath squealing synth flourishes; the drums that stomp through “caroline” evoke the feeling of marching into battle; and the repetition of the titular refrain from “i love you regardless” lends a hypnotic infinity to the sparse, percussive beat. Leaning into a more physically driven persona—and away from the wounded loverboy themes that characterised Artemas’ earlier works—has resulted in far more kinetic productions, pitch-shifted vocals stretching around the limit-testing rattle of bass and distortion. yustyna is a compelling showcase from an artist and producer reaping the rewards of intense experimental labour.
