“You know that I can’t beat it, so help me change my mind,” Naz Hejaz softly murmurs on the chorus of her latest dark indietronica track “Incurable Dreams.” The genre–that has seen slight resurgences through 8-bit, sleazy acts like The Dare or Frost Children–has a deep, sensual underbelly that was once defined by more eurodisco-influenced artists such as those from the erotic label Italians Do It Better. Throughout this dreamy song by the budding Los Angeles-based electronic pop artist, driven by a funky, prominent bassline and peppered smooth jazzy saxophones, Hejaz revives this motif of sexy techno-psychedelica. 

The lyrics to “Incurable Dreams” are spoken-word and poetic, each syllable oozing from Hejaz's soft voice in moans and sighs as she laments the blurred line between self-control and desire. Her slow-paced, sultry tone inflicts passion into every word, transforming the song’s identity into one of an experimental, immersive art piece. Faint hits of a hallowed drum and gentle taps of a bell add to the intimate feel, as Hejaz’s undeviating, but still moony lyricism builds a tension impossible to break. “Our eyes are locked / Take my soul or leave it,” she whispers, and it feels like you, the listener, are the one staring at her. 

Hejaz’s vocals have a slight distorted effect to them, giving the track a surreal and otherworldly aura. It’s mysterious and filled to the brim with heated and feverish sexuality, weaving electronica and neo-soul together to create a dense, rich palette of sound. If you like the dark 70s nostalgia of acts like Desire, and also the progressive funk of Hiatus Kaiyote, you are bound to find pleasure and solace in the sound of “Incurable Dreams.”