Alex Born, the Portugal-born, London-based singer-songwriter has released his new EP, Executioner Of Modern Times, a four-track project that brings together dark electronic pop, theatrical influences and deeply personal storytelling.
Music has always been a way for artists to express emotions that aren’t necessarily easy to put into words. For Alex Born, it’s also an opportunity to revisit experiences from his past and turn them into something creative.
The EP concludes with Executioner, a song that explores the emotional impact of being hurt by someone who holds power over you, particularly when their influence makes walking away seem almost impossible.
Rather than approaching the subject through a conventional relationship song, Alex draws on the history of medieval executioners to explore the complicated relationship between power, responsibility and freedom.
Historically, some executioners inherited their positions or were forced into the role, carrying out punishments on behalf of those in authority. Alex uses that imagery to explore how people can become trapped in situations where their choices feel limited, and how difficult it can be to break free.
It’s an unusual comparison, but one that gives the song an interesting perspective on emotional pain and the process of letting go.
Musically, Executioner combines industrial sounds and electronic production with dramatic vocals, creating a contrast between the harshness of the instrumentation and the vulnerability of the lyrics.
There are influences from The Phantom Of The Opera, the unsettling atmosphere of the Silent Hill games and the theatrical performances of artists such as Lady Gaga.
Together, they help create a song that reflects the intensity of the emotions Alex is exploring.
Executioner also brings together the story he’s been developing through his previous releases, Obituary, Unrequited Love and Sealed Fate.
Each song forms part of the wider narrative, with the EP exploring different experiences of grief, relationships and personal freedom.
Executioner Of Modern Times – Tracklist
- Obituary
- Unrequited Love
- Sealed Fate
- Executioner
Alex’s interest in creating music began in 2017, when he started producing songs in his bedroom at just 16 years old.
Growing up in a small community in Portugal, his life was once expected to follow a very different direction, with a future in religious leadership anticipated for him.
Instead, he eventually moved to London, where he began exploring his creativity and developing his identity as an artist.
Those experiences continue to influence his music, particularly his interest in religion, self-acceptance and the expectations placed on individuals by the people and communities around them.
His sound draws on a wide range of influences, from the experimental pop of Charli XCX and FKA Twigs to the music of the late 90s and early 2000s.
He’s also inspired by video game soundtracks, internet culture and the eerie atmosphere of seemingly familiar places that somehow don’t feel quite right.
It’s an interesting combination, particularly when paired with the personal experiences that inspire his lyrics.
Alex describes himself as a ‘fun-sized pop star’, but his approach to songwriting certainly doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects.
With Executioner Of Modern Times, he’s created a project that explores some uncomfortable emotions while embracing the creative possibilities of electronic pop.
And perhaps that’s what makes the EP particularly interesting. Rather than separating his personal experiences from the more theatrical elements of his music, Alex brings them together, using history, fantasy and sound to tell a story that is very much rooted in real life.
Executioner Of Modern Times is available to stream now via APOLLO Distribution.
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