The music landscape is constantly evolving, but there will always be a place for artists who challenge the mainstream, opting instead for art that transcends fleeting trends.
Enter Shikon, the avant-garde musical act composed of vocalist Fer (Fernanda Pérez Hernández) and producer JRA (Jordan Ray Allen). Together, they breathe life into intricate compositions that fuse nostalgia with innovation, offering a soundscape that is as deeply emotional as it is sonically mesmerizing.
Their debut single, Better Time, is an evocative ballad that channels the aching melancholy of 80s heartbreak anthems. Guided by Fer’s soulful, heart-rending vocals and JRA’s masterful production, the track weaves delicate synths and reverberated snares into a lush sonic tapestry. The song taps into the universal theme of love lost, regret unfurling in every note, and the longing to rewrite the past. It’s a composition designed not for passive listening but for deep emotional immersion.
Serving as the lead single from their forthcoming album Wounded Souls - The Anthology, Better Time sets the stage for an ambitious exploration of human emotions. The album will unravel the stories of various characters, all grappling with wounds of the past, mirroring the scars many of us carry. Shikon’s ability to blend personal introspection with universal relatability makes this project a must-hear for those who crave music with depth and substance.
Shikon isn't here to cater to the ‘fast food music’ mentality that dominates today’s industry. In a world where songs are engineered for virality and short-lived social media moments, this duo remains steadfast in their commitment to crafting music that resonates beyond the surface. "We stand firm in our belief that there is a discerning audience out there yearning for quality music and cohesive albums they can connect with," they assert. Better Time is not just a song—it’s a statement, a reminder that meaningful, immersive music still has a place in the digital age.
Better Time is a fitting heartbreak anthem for those who know love’s bittersweet sting. Available on all streaming platforms and Bandcamp, the track marks just the beginning of Shikon’s journey into avant-garde musical storytelling.
Your debut single, Better Time, blends 80s heartbreak aesthetics with an avant-garde approach. What drew you to this sonic style, and how did you craft the song’s emotional depth?
JRA: In part, I think it has to do with neural nostalgia and how “our brains bind us to the music we heard as teenagers more tightly than anything we'll hear as adults.” Proudly born in 1984, I grew up as an MTV, BET, VH1, and film score maniac, which introduced me to an eclectic range of artists and sounds. With ‘Better Time’ or any of our songs, the intention isn’t “We’re gonna make a song like this or that.” I begin by freestyling with instruments and melodies on the keyboard, letting the sounds develop organically. That said, as the compositions unfold, I do reflect on what part neural nostalgia played in their creation.
To offer examples, with the 80s heartbreak aesthetic of ‘Better Time,’ the first half of the song
hearkens back to the subtle synths and reverberated snares that made Martika’s ‘Toy Soldiers’ and Madonna’s ‘Live To Tell’ so great, creating an amazing space for their meaningful lyrics to stand out and hover hauntingly.
As for the opening/chorus, my love of 80s sci-fi scores influenced the futuristic synth that pings. The music in the second half of the song (created after the vocal sessions) ups its pace and switches to a dance-pop production style akin to Janet Jackson’s ‘The Pleasure Principle’ and the Latin Freestyle synth-bells and rhythm of Stevie B’s ‘I Wanna Be The One’ and George Lamond’s ‘Bad of the Heart’.
With ‘Better Time,’ the dreamy and subtle soundscape provided Fer with a foundation to dive
deep into the emotions of the lyrics and project them accurately from a place of regret.
You’ve spoken about rejecting the ‘fast food music’ culture and prioritizing meaningful, immersive albums. What challenges have you faced in staying true to this artistic vision, and how do you see Shikon’s music resonating with today’s listeners?
Shikon: We wouldn’t say 'reject.' It has its place. Fast food is quite tempting and tasty but isn’t
exactly healthy, especially if consumed continuously. However, if enjoyed in moderation, one’s health is less likely to decline from it. That’s our thinking when it comes to ‘fast food music.’
However, we aim to deliver gourmet creations from the recipe book of 'quality over quantity.'
Wearing creative horse-race blinders allows us to focus on our craft and journey ahead without being distracted by what everyone else is doing. We think it’s perfectly fine to discover your niche and double down on it. And we also think it’s okay to step outside of 'your thing' and experiment if you want to have fun and join the crowd for a hashtag moment.
We just think it’s important not to get lost in it, or worse, lose your artistic self in the process.
Shikon’s just getting started, and fortunately, we haven’t faced any challenges with today’s
listeners. If anything, we’re receiving love, support, and wonderful commentary on social media from folks all over the world who appreciate our unique audio and visual aesthetics.
The old adage remains true: 'If you build it, they will come.' Our interest is in earning a dedicated following off the merit of our art.
Your upcoming album Wounded Souls - The Anthology explores different characters in various emotional states. Can you share more about the storytelling behind the album and how these characters reflect personal or universal experiences?
Fer: Sure! Our first demo (unreleased) was coincidentally called ‘Losing Time.’ It was from the
perspective of a person who had been cheated on by the love of their life and just couldn’t seem to climb over the emotional hurdle. She found herself constantly asking, “How could you say goodbye?” “How could you say you’re fine?” “How could you say you’re mine?” “How can you escape my mind? I’m losing time.” When JRA presented me with the reference track for it, my direct response to him in our WhatsApp chat was, “Ohhhh I love itttt!!! So
excitinggggg!!”
JRA: Yes, that song was loosely based on the emotions I felt when a film production of mine
ended abruptly due to producers who didn’t have my creative interests at heart. My best friend at the time, who was like a sister and also a part of the production, abandoned and ghosted me in the aftermath. It’s common for folks in the entertainment industry to be fickle, but this was someone I held dear. So it wasn’t long until I started circling questions around my mentally fragile carousel: “How could you turn your back on me?” “Did I imagine our bond?” and so on. I was losing time asking questions over and over to someone who was no longer there.
Fortunately, I ridded myself of those emotions in March of 2023 when ‘Kick The Tragedy,’ an
instrumental classic by Drop Nineteens, spun on my playlist. I suddenly started humming along, which quickly turned into lyrics I had to write down as quickly as they hit my head. I recorded a reference track, sent it to Fer, and here we are today. There will be a new version of it on the album.
‘Losing Time’ was the seed that gave life to ‘Wounded Souls - The Anthology’ and inspired the concept of delving into various characters in different emotional states. It explores the idea that they—and we—are all in need of healing that may take an eternity.
Shikon is a deeply collaborative project between Fer’s evocative vocals and JRA’s intricate compositions. What is your creative process like when writing and producing music together?
Fer: I’m usually minding my own business when he suddenly hits me up with: “Yo! Just wanna let you know that I made the reference track today for one of the songs that I'd like us to do, assuming you don't hate it. And please remember to have mercy on your brother-in-law when you hear the reference. I can't sing for sh!+ but somehow seem to know how to write songs/demonstrate how they should be produced. Go figure.”
I take it from there, live with the song for a bit, and find the best ways to marry the music with
my vocal range and expressions. Sometimes, I send snippets back to him, or we get together side by side and work it out until we hit the sweet spot we’re aiming for.
JRA: That’s how it goes. From the composing and writing side of things, I make the music first, and the lyrics come after, allowing the production to guide the tone and pacing of what needs to be said. Once Fer gets a hold of it, it’s incredible to see it manifest through her.
With Better Time releasing on Valentine’s Day, it’s positioned as a heartbreak anthem for those reflecting on love and regret. What do you hope listeners feel and take away when they hear the song for the first time?
Shikon: We want listeners to know and remember that we are all more fragile than we’d like to admit, especially in romantic relationships. Emotional scars are real, and some people don’t heal as fast or wear them as well as others. 'Better Time' has a dual effect: it amplifies the voices of those who were careless in love, now grappling with regret and longing for 'what could have been,' while delivering an apology to those who suffered heartbreak without proper closure.