Timur is "Not A Criminal" in stunning debut release

Pop artists... there seems to be a new one debuting every day. It's a great time to be an appreciator of Pop music, but a much more difficult time to *be* among these new rising musicians. How do you stand out from your peers? How do you really make an impact that separates those who try from those who make it? Some would no doubt say it's about who you know because, after all, music *is* an industry. However there are a select few artists whose talents and qualities make people take immediate notice of them, those whose potential is as clear as day, and all that they need is enough ears to be alerted to their presence: Enter Timur.

Timur Flores is a 25-year-old Malaysian-Swiss artist who is completely new to me, yet from the moment that I heard her sing, I felt a wave of familiarity washing over me, an instant recognition of tell-tale signs of greatness, and I knew right away this wasn't just another pop songstress out to make a name for herself, no, Timur is a seriously talented young woman and her voice is no joke. She's on the lower side of the register, somewhere around a Beyonce with Hints of Aguilera, you can easily she has tons of potential just waiting for the right time to be unleashed in spectacular ways, and more importantly: She's got the poise and the attitude for it.

Timur is more than just a really good voice. Her journey to stardom began at a young age, becoming a multi-instrumentalist (and a polyglot too, she's fluent in English, Mandarin, and Malay), along the way. She received vocal training from the highly respected Malaysian singer Datuk Syafinaz Selamat, and she was recently picked up for a record deal by KRU Music, one of the country's biggest and most highly regarded labels.

Timur's newest song, "Not A Criminal" does a terrific job of showcasing the talent arsenal of the rising artist. Thanks to this new video, it’s not just her voice that’s front and center, but also her ability to make her visual presence felt (a must for all musicians who plan to go touring arenas and the like). Her bold and exhilarating Electro-pop sound does lean heavily on the "electro" side, a rather vanguardist yet catchy proposal that she proudly describes as being influenced by "K-pop acts such as Blackpink and 2NE1". A truly modern edge contrasting with the more imposing and soulful timbre of her voice.

Stunned? Why yes, I am. Though this is a pretty straightforward Electro-pop song, it's one that thrives in the originality of Timur's voice, being a delightfully-crafted masterclass in where the genre is today while also giving us a lot to chew on in terms of vocal talent, but as impressive as it, I think the track is also one big tease designed to leave us eagerly waiting for her next release.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based. 

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant  ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work . Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music..