Dominique Tey - Heartstream (2019)

As one-half of experimental electronic duo MAASAI, we already knew Dominique Tey was talented. But now, in 2019, she breaks out on her own with her solo debut EP, Heartstream, an emotional collection that reminds us of her perfect pop tendencies.
Situated somewhere in the blank space between smooth R&B and dark dance-pop, Heartstream is less of a labeled effort than it is merely a series of dreamy songs that deserve your ears. The EP opens with “Ocean Deep,” built on percussive slaps and tender piano notes hiding in the distance. Dominique’s voice is lovely, never in-your-face about its versatile ability, but always managing to fall seamlessly into new tones at any given moment. It’s both a ballad and an anthem, hard-hitting electronica serving as the base for breathy vocals to drift on. “Every Part” follows, one of the lead singles off Heartstream. Buzzing with synth beats that oscillate between quick punches and drowsy drones, it’s a dazzling electronic piece bursting to life every once in a while before muting itself into submission.

The halfway point of Heartstream finds its title track, one that allows Dominique’s voice to shine — it’s high and sweet but it’s got a strong, soulful quality to it too, because her voice can really do it all — among an emotional arrangement of jarring percussion and smashing beats. On “Feelingless,” we’re given a world of mesmeric dance-pop goodness that offers both a new edge and a new energy to the EP, moving back and forth between a kind of icy indifference and a more robust electronic arrangement. Heartstream ends with the dynamic “Let It Out,” a song so well-crafted that it feels like a gift to listen to it. Here, Dominique mimics the song’s title — she’s free on this song. She lets it all go, whatever chains have shackled her, and she lets loose a gorgeous performance that finds each element — from production to vocals to lyrics — at its absolute best.

With her debut EP Heartstream, Dominique Tey proves that she has the kind of talent that sends artists to the top of the charts, but something tells us that’s not what this is about for her. These sweet, heavy gems feel necessary for her, and though they are dreamy to hear, they should be treated with the respect Dominique had when she built them.