Music
Richard Orofino Unveils Sensational New EP Chimaera
Richard Orofino is a Brooklyn based singer-songwriter and producer. An already decorated artist and a sought-after writer/producer, he has collaborated with a diverse group of artists in NY, LA, Nashville and London including Evan Voytas (UPSAHL, Loyal Lobos), Isaac Flynn (Hembree) and John Carroll-Kirby (Solange, Connan Mockasin). After discovering the art of production in 2013, he has been able to fuse his strong artistic vision across all aspects of being a modern-day ‘singer-songwriter plus’ offering.
With a string of releases so far this year such as ‘Fake Me’ and ‘Wanna Say’ featured in the likes of Wonderland, Clash Magazine and more, Richard now releases his long-awaited EP ‘Chimaera’, with the stunning alt-pop lead single ‘Scratch Off’. Richard’s personality and a subtle yet deserved swagger shines through on this track in particular, with his once bedroom pop sound now evolving into a whole other sphere, implementing his own stamp in what feels like a significant body of work for Richard.
Speaking on the meaning behind ‘Scratch Off’ and the EP, Richard explains: “‘Scratch Off’ takes place in a sort of interrogation scenario, lyrically held to the mouth of the captor or overseer. The perspective we hear from has an evil energy, making us sympathize with this prisoner we hear about in the song. Our narrator gets joy from hearing their captive shout, “Let me go back home”, and laughing while they sit “under a fluorescent hell zone.
“Although I found myself diving back into my love for rock and folk music, Chimaera definitely feels like a new stage for my music. I think building production around these sort of emo/folk songs has allowed me to mess around with blending synth and pop elements in a new way. Lyrically, Chimaera touches on a few themes with the most forefront being loneliness, identity, and change. A lot of doubt, depression and self sabotage come into play as well. Really fun, happy stuff.”
Artist Spotlight
personalheartbreaker and ENCASSATOR unpack manipulation, obsession and remorse on “Sorry Eyed”
“Sorry Eyed” is a dark shoegaze and alternative rock ballad by personalheartbreaker and ENCASSATOR that explores the space between obsession, emotional dependence, manipulation, and remorse. The new single slowly reveals how reliance is a form of oppression, not just weakness. The result is a psychologically complex song that pulls you into a relationship where trust and exploitation are not mutually exclusive.
The track takes an unsettling emotional turn through its manipulator’s perspective in “Sorry Eyed.” At first, the narrator seems dependent on another person, as if they need comfort, connection, or support. But as the story progresses, that openness starts to resemble exploitation. The song’s heart is the power imbalance, where regret always clashes with self-interest.
This struggle gives the song its emotional weight, because the narrator knows the damage he’s causing but is still addicted to the perks of manipulation. The accompanying music video arrives September 30th and carries that story further with the angel’s trust, devotion, and sacrifice. What begins with faith in a fellow man ends in destruction and offers visual counterpoint to the song’s themes.
“Sorry Eyed” is a collaboration with ENCASSATOR, who produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered the song and played a major role in its development. That full creative engagement helps shape the single into one cohesive piece, where the track’s dark alternative rock, shoegaze identity doesn’t detract from the story but supports it. “Sorry Eyed” is a strong pick for fans who love exploring manipulation and complicated relationships.
Artist Spotlight
“Hell has frozen over” finds Sarina choosing peace over being understood
Sarina’s new track, “Hell has frozen over,” explores the less dramatic, more complicated moment of reaching the end of the road, being gaslit, ignored, rejected, and painfully lonely. It translates the emotional burnout into a rock-pop context that’s easy to understand.
“Hell has frozen over” focuses on the decision to step away, instead of explaining, defending, or seeking understanding from people who refuse to listen. The rock foundation gives it the right weight, the pop influence makes it accessible, and the focus stays on the emotional message.
Sarina’s art is the struggle of loss and being strong in yourself. It’s about understanding that protecting your peace is more important than being understood. And that’s the emotional balance that gives the release its character so that the subject matter has relevance beyond a particular circumstance.
“Hell has frozen over“ is a relief from the burden of carrying on a debate that will never be resolved. Sarina turns an experience of isolation into a statement about boundaries, resilience, and the choice not to get caught in the same cycle. The result is a record that’s at its best when it’s being true to what it feels like to finally be free from whatever has been holding you down.
Photo Credit: Andrea Hunter
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