iKeda's 'Bangs N Braces' Blends Electronic Pop and Dancehall with Storybook Charm
On her second EP, 'Bangs N Braces,' London singer iKeda moves beyond her debut's reference-heavy style to assert her own personality. The record mixes late-aughts electronic pop, dancehall, and playful storytelling, with tracks like 'Tiger Tiger' inspired by children's literature. iKeda's restrained delivery allows her to command the songs' cool center amid chaotic production.
iKeda's second EP arrives two years after her debut, *Pretty Little Problem*, and reunites her with producer Tailtiu under the Orbit Artist Group banner. The record draws on her Jamaican heritage, with the singer coining "bubble riddim" to describe her dancehall-inflected approach. Several tracks take inspiration from unexpected sources: "Tiger Tiger" references children's authors Judith Kerr and Enid Blyton, while "Mapz" channels her admiration for Lily Allen, whom she has cited as her favorite songwriter. Her London scene credentials include opening for PinkPantheress and collaborating with Babymorocco.
The EP's production leans heavily on late-aughts electronic styles, including dubstep, bassline, and UK funky. Critic Harry Tafoya notes that while her restrained vocal range limits her compared to powerhouse singers, it allows her to maintain a cool, controlled presence amid dense, chaotic arrangements. Some tracks, like "Pyramids" and "Red Red," feel overstuffed or overly studied, suggesting the retro-millennial sound may be reaching its creative limits for the artist.
This release could signal a shift in how younger pop artists engage with late-2000s electronic music, moving beyond simple nostalgia toward more personal reinterpretation. iKeda's success may encourage other emerging singers with limited vocal ranges to embrace restraint as a stylistic strength rather than a limitation. Her fusion of dancehall with UK club sounds could also broaden mainstream interest in genre-blending pop, potentially expanding opportunities for artists of Jamaican descent in the London scene and beyond.