You Stare – A Collaboration Between Marko Vojnić, Penny Rimbaud & Eve Libertine
Marko Vojnić brings a new musical collaboration with the legendary members of the British anarcho-punk collective Crass, Penny Rimbaud and Eve Libertine, in a project called "You Stare". This song, which uses Rimbaud's poetic lines and a minimalist, contemplative approach to music production, delivers a unique experience that is both philosophical and experimental. This collaboration, created almost by accident, without a clear purpose or intention, creates an audio-visual reflection on interpersonal relationships, existence and finitude.
Rimbaud's text, originally recorded for JF Whitney's 2018 short film, is imbued with a meditation on symbiosis, existence and the inevitability of transience. Lyrics like "You stare at me, I stare at you" suggest a deep and intimate encounter, an almost existential game of reflection in the other. Here Rimbaud uses his signature style – a combination of cool philosophical introspection and stark reality – to explore human nature and relationships. The introductory images of the relationship between two people, kept in mutual observation, pass into deeper contemplations about symbiosis and the absolute laws of the universe.
"Deluded by consciousness, we do not live life, rather we represent it" - this verse deeply resonates with the themes of transience and fragility of human existence. Rimbaud, as always, questions the very foundations of our perception of reality, offering a perspective that questions the very nature of life and consciousness. His voice is calm but powerful, like a wise storyteller leading us through an introspective journey.
Eve Libertine adds another dimension to this work with her voice. Her performance, subtle and ethereal, brings an emotional note that balances the cold rationality of Rimbaud's lyrics. Her interpretation brings a sense of fragility and transience, almost as if she is an echo of those philosophical thoughts, floating in the background of deep reflections.
The music does not impose a rhythm, but allows the lyrics to breathe and the atmosphere of the song to remain meditative and reflective. Electronic sounds penetrating the text bring a feeling of coldness and distance.
The production carefully accentuates the gaps between the verses, allowing the silence to become almost as important an element as the vocals themselves. This adds to the sense of isolation and introspectiveness, emphasizing the themes of transience and finitude that run throughout the text.
"You Stare" is not a conventional song - it is more of an artistic, philosophical experiment, which invites the listener to confront questions about existence, relationships and the transience of life. The collaboration between Marko Vojnić, Penny Rimbaud and Eve Libertine is deeply thoughtful and evocative. The song leaves an impression of personal and universal reflection, in which the listener can get lost, reflecting on his own life, relationships and the inevitable transience of everything.
You Stare - (RMX by Mikado Koko)
The remix of the song "You Stare" brings a refreshing and innovative approach to the release that was created in collaboration between Marko Vojnić, Penny Rimbaud and Eve Libertine. The remix is signed by Mikado Koko.
Mikado Koko successfully maintains the dramatic intensity of Rimbaud's text, and her production brings a new dimension to the song's soundscape. Koko uses glitchy, ominous electronic elements that further emphasize the emotional depth of Rimbaud and Libertine's vocal performances. These additions create an atmosphere of tension and introspection, which invites listeners to connect more deeply with the song's message.
Koko intelligently balances the experimental and the melodic, creating a complex soundscape that relies on emotion and weight of words.
In addition to the sound remix, Mikado Koko is also the author of the cover art for this release. Inspired by the works of Gee Vaucher and the Dada movement, Koko creates a visual composition that perfectly complements the musical content. This synergy between sound and visual identity further enhances the experience of the song, encouraging listeners to engage with the complexity and depth of the artistic expression.
As in the original version, the remix of "You Stare" explores themes of interconnectedness, perception and social criticism. Rimbaud's text about gathering and observation is now enriched with new dimensions that Koko brings to his production solutions.