Sisyphus is a supergroup consisting of Sufjan Stevens, Ryan Lott (Son Lux), and David Cohn (Serengeti). Originally formed under the name s / s / s for the 2012 EP 'Beak & Claw', the trio rebranded as Sisyphus for their 2014 full-length debut.
The project was notably influenced by the visual art of Jim Hodges and commissioned by the Walker Art Center. Sonically, the group occupies a unique intersection of alternative hip-hop and art-pop. Ryan Lott provides the backbone of the sound with his signature 'flickering' production style, characterized by rapid-fire percussion and digital manipulation. Serengeti contributes narrative-driven, often idiosyncratic verses that ground the project's more abstract tendencies. Sufjan Stevens acts as the melodic glue, providing hooks and harmonic depth. Critically, the project is viewed as a successful experiment in cross-genre collaboration, avoiding the typical pitfalls of supergroups by leaning into the idiosyncratic strengths of each member rather than diluting them. They are a pivotal example of the 'indie-rap' crossover movement of the early 2010s.
Shares indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres); rap, falsetto, deadpan (vocal style)
Shares indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres); contemplative, playful, wistful (moods)
Shares indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres); maximalist, digital_clarity, layered_dense (production style)
Shares indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres); contemplative, playful, wistful (moods)
Shares indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres); layered_dense, digital_clarity, sample_based (production style)
Shares layered_dense, digital_clarity, sample_based (production style); indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres)
Shares indie pop, electronica, art pop (subgenres); playful, mysterious, wistful (moods)
Shares contemplative, playful, wistful (moods); deadpan, rap, whispered (vocal style)
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