From musician, to makeup artist, to fashionistaand even finding the time to be a dedicated BarbJazmin Bean does not fit into any one category. But who exactly is Bean anyway? Well, that particular question doesnt have an answer with a neatly wrapped bow around it. Instead, the answer takes you on a rollercoaster ride. From the streets of Harajuku, Japan, to the glorious and topsy-turvy world of Tim Burton, youll encounter Bean at the intersection of your worst nightmare and your favourite daydreama visual and musical collision of the darkest corners of our imagination, as The Forty Five puts it. Bean is a hybrid of both the terrifying and the terrific. Creating a myriad of gruesome gore visuals and musical aesthetics, the artist firmly places themself in a lane of their ownand everyone should pay attention.
Who is Jazmin Bean?
Whats underrated? Bean, according to the artist themself.
Jasmine Adams, professionally known as Jazmin Bean, is a British singer, songwriter, makeup artist, beauty brand owner, business entrepreneur, and of course, style iconso, just about everything under the sun. The artist is non-binary, goes by the pronouns they/them, and toes the line between popstar and underground rebel on a daily basis. Their Spotify following is only growing by the minutecurrently sitting at over 700,000 monthly listeners, you might recognise them from Reading Festival earlier this year where they donned a conservative yeti but very pink fit. The artist detailed their experience to NME as a first-time performer, saying that it is all I ever wanted to do. Bean did a set at the Pit stagenotorious for the moshing mix of fans that rock out in it. Now that youre clued up a little, heres what you really need to know about the singer.
As a champion of multiple aesthetics, Bean has been credited for their fearless approach to blending various styles together, sonically and visually, in their music career. I create music and film that pushes the boundaries of beauty and societal standardsand throws itself into extremes, they said in an interview with Dazed. There is a certain allure in the dark and lurid appeal of Bean, with their website currently featuring an image of them holding a giant blade. Frequently linked to other acts like Grimes, Rina Sawayama, Babymetal, Poppy and Melanie Martinez, the rising popstar has cemented their place in the alternative genre. Beans art seems to pull all ends of the spectrum, from nightmarish visuals to lullaby lyrics which both transform the way we enjoy and interact with music.
Bean has managed to gather a dedicated following that is just as into the weird and wonderful as they are. As for those who arent in on it, the artist shared that they love to play with them, On the weekends, I would go to clubs and perform and do the most extreme things that I could do and see how many people I could shock, they recalled in an interview with DIY Mag. They once even dumped a big jug of chicken liver on themself on stage to really push it. They dub this their shock era, though to the rest of us common mortals, theyre still in itthere was a point where the artist considered trying to pee on stage and drink said pee live from a cup to Primadona Girl by Marina and The Diamonds. Luckily, it just didnt work cos I was so nervous.
However, Bean goes beyond simply stepping out of the box. An issue the performer finds important is animal rights, I feel like humans really need to get off the Earth so that animals can roll out, when profiled for Dazed 100. Also, Im passionate about ending capitalism and everyone being equal. Two-for-two, Bean. A lot needs to change, and loud art is the best way to do it.
What is Jazmin Beans music style?
The lovechild of heavy metal and sunshine popdont worry well break these downBean is certainly unique. This is translated clearly in singles like Hello Kitty and especially, Yanderea Japanese word for an individual who is head over heels for their love interest, to violent and destructive extremes. The single encapsulates this with lyrics like, This might get a little messy, Im sure, heads rolling for the one I adore. This may become a little brutal, if Im honest, but its any-anything for you, my dear, I promise.
Gen Z seem to have a liking for mixing the old and the new, with artists such as PinkPantheress taking the world by storm with dance-pop tracks that send us all into the haze of wired earbuds, Motorola Razrs, and painstakingly waiting for another Pierce The Veil song to pop-up on MTVartists are starting to take hold of the power of nostalgia. With genres like pop punk making a resurgence in the modern music world, artists such as Bean are able to call back nostalgia while refreshing it with their own vivid and unique sound.
Beans musical influences range from many prevalent artistswith their dream musical collaborators being Avril Lavigne, Nicki Minaj and Gwen Stefanithey stated that theyd probably have a stroke or something, if they got any of them on a song. That being said, their most notable influence is SOPHIE. In an interview with tmrw, Bean talked about the death of the singer and the impact it left on them, Obviously, SOPHIE was like a celebrity but I took her work very personally. Ive never really cried over a celeb death or anything like that. I was genuinely frustrated, like What do you mean? Shes going to come back.
Remaining relatively unknownwith their subreddit only hosting a small following of 1,000is actually a prerogative of Beans, Id really like to remain with my small circle of fans but I really want more people to find out about me. I want people to see me on certain platforms and be like Why is this person there? and be confused about it, they shared with tmrw. When it comes to their music, the craft seems to be more important than the praise.
Released towards the end of 2020 under Beans independent label aswang birthday cake (stylised in all lowercase), Worldwide Torture is a metal-pop heavy EP consisting of five songs. Tracks like Saccharine, Little Lamb and War Zone Urchin contain messages that are both vulnerable yet, simultaneously, volatile. Some of the lyrics include talking about gouging out [their] eyes out with love, and being scared that you will leave, so Ill keep pulling at your sleeve.
Along with the passion and intensity of the lyricism, the EP is also accompanied by Beans artistic horror-pop visuals. The theatrical camp art of Worldwide Torture comes from its medly of fun and fright. Though short, Worldwide Torture is still able to span various genres of music. When discussing the EP with tmrw, Bean said they were very unhappy while making it. I hated myself, said the artist, but Worldwide Torture was a learning curve for them. Making it was a turning point of sorts for the young artist, who is currently 18. This work helped me fall in love with myself and put boundaries with certain people, they further told tmrw.
Nu metal and sunshine pop
Beans music, though alternative to its core, can be claimed as part of the bygone subgenre nu metal (also stylised nu-metal or n-metal). As one of the many subgenres of metal music from the 90s, nu metal took from preceding genres and now stands as inspiration for others such as modern American heavy metal. Despite its influence, the genre has had its fair share of critics, with NME slating it as one of the worst genres of all time as well as claims it is rocks most maligned offshoot,almost 20 years after the genre had apparently fallen out of mainstream popularity.
It is an alternative subgenre that fuses heavy metal music with other styles like hip hop, grunge, alternative rock, hard rock, and funk, as stated by Masterclass. With elements like jazz, rap metal, groove metal, and industrial metal all contributing to the sound and style of nu metal, the genre was influenced by many experimental rock groups like Faith No More. Less aggressive than death metalmeaning less harsh on the earsit has become part of hybridised umbrella names like metalcore and deathcore.
Differentiating itself from its parent genres common guitar solos, nu metal features rapping and mixed vocals that are often a cross between screaming and singingso, if youre looking for that racket your parents complain about, youll find it here. Theres also a heavy emphasis on syncopationa syncopated beat will emphasise traditional weak beats and tend to sound more striking than non-syncopated rhythmic patterns. The heavily syncopated riffs and beats give nu metal an often jarring, asymmetrical sound, but the lyrics contrast that dissonance, as they are usually direct and angsty. However, not all of the lyrics in this genre are necessarily angry, they also cover a variety of interesting and subversive topics. Like Worldwide Torture, nu metal lyrics often explore bullying and betrayal, others are about partying, moshing at concerts, hope, and even humor, according to Masterclass.
When it comes down to Beans music, not only do they embody the core elements of nu metal, but the influence of the niche genre sunshine pop (also called soft pop) is evident in their work. With a very small following dedicated to unearthing groups that fit the genre on reddit, sunshine pop is classed as a pop sub-genre that, like nu metal, originated in California, surfacing in the mid-1960s. Laced with limerent comments on the world that are often paired with nostalgic or anxious moods, the genre takes a sunny, soft appreciating look at the worlds beauty. Bean has also been grouped into hyperpop by many publications like this feature list by The Forty Five.
What is Jazmin Beans aesthetic inspiration?
As if straight out of Harajuku, you will find Bean adorned in all kinds of kawaii-inspired clothing with pink garments galore. It is clear that the artist, whos also the owner of Cult Candytheir very own makeup brandhas a very keen and solidified sense of style right down to their influences. In a feature with Vogue, they gave tips on how to achieve their outlandish look, a cat-eye mouth complete with scary spikes and stunning violet contacts. They called themself a genderless monster in an interview with Truly, and their aesthetic appears to be exactly that. Here are some of the most prominent influences of the standout style-icon if you ever want to dabble in this world.
1. Tim Burton
Bean is majorly in love with Tim BurtonI mean, who isnt?and cites him as one of their biggest influences. Being obsessed with dollslike the Monster High ones they grew up withas well as all things macabre, its no wonder the Hollywood director of cult-classics like Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas is an inspiration of theirs. Burton, known for making freakishly fantastic films, has an aesthetic similar to Beans, one where the gore and the gorgeous meet. In their interview with Dazed, Bean stated that Emily, from Burtons 2005 classic Corpse Bride, is a character they most identify with.
The artist has also got Toxic Boy, from the 2008 animated short of the same name, tattooed on themself.
2. Yami kawaii and gurokawa
The look Bean channels through their visuals and fashion sense is heavily influenced by Japanese pop culture. Their style and carefully crafted outfits seem to be a melting pot of a number of unique trends such as Harajuku style, the Lolita aesthetic and Yami kawaiiJapans softer take on emo. Yami kawaii is a fashion movement that brings to light some of the most prohibited subjects of discussion in Japanese culture: depression and mental illness. It is also part of Anti-kawaii, a movement that aims to bring forth and highlight opposing elements to the typically known kawaii style, in order to leave a greater impact. Although the artist has never explicitly labelled these aesthetics as direct influences, their love of many Japanese trends is clear as day. Never missing a patch of pink in almost every outfit, their whimsical style is always cooky and creative.
Although its safe to say that Yami kawaii is dark enough by itself, throughout their style Bean adds an even darker element to their vibrant pink outfits, one known as gurokawa (which is often translated to Creepy Cute in the west)a popular style of the 2010s combining the grotesque with the kawaii.
3. Filipino folklore
Many times I have described Beans aesthetic as something straight out of a nightmarewell, theres a reason for thatand it lies within the artists connection to the Aswang (of which her record label is named after). A frightening mythological creature in Filipino cultureknown to be shape-shifting monstersthey appear as normal people during the day (usually presenting as women) and transform into horrifying beings at night, hunting humans as their prey. The nocturnal beasts have a thing for human flesh, you see, even craving the taste of childrenbringing to mind lyrics from songs like Super Slaughter, yeah, my teeth areextrasharp, catching allmy prey to slit.
Beanof Filipino descentproudly talked about the creatures to NME, stating that they love to scare bitches. There is a clear connection between the mythological lore of the Aswangs and Bean, much like Bean has described themself, they also disguise themselves by using sinister vocal tricks to distract their desired prey.
Bean uses art to reflect their worldviewto push for more. When asked what the role of a new gen artist was by tmrw, they said, We shouldnt go backwards, and that they hope to continue to push and inspire their fans in years to come. All artists seek nothing more than to make their mark on the world with their music and Jazmin Bean is certainly one of them. With a mashup of mixed genres such as electropop, metal, trap, pop rock and of course, indieyou name it, the singer has managed to create a lane for themself as a hybrid of opposites. I mean, who would have thought that screaming death metal and sugary sweet pop could go together so perfectly?
Who is Jazmin Bean? A deep dive into the multidiverse mind behind Worldwide Torture
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