After releasing two different EPs in 2020, Kristian Kostov returns this autumn with his latest single “Built Different”. Shifting into the hyperpop genre, and with a song that is clearly inspired by the likes of Charli XCX and Kim Petras, the Russian-born Eurovision runner-up for Bulgaria is looking to add some electronic pop into our lives.
With at least two more singles promised from the singer, let’s take a look at what we might be able to expect in the coming months.
“I’m built different, I’m a star”
Whereas Mood: EP was a modern pop release and Time, released under the moniker VOSTOK, was an experiential and experimental independent release, “Built Different” takes on a new trend for the Moscow resident.
Following the pop music trend to build songs that have a shorter run-time than is traditional, “Built Different” brings 2:25 of electro driven melodies which culminate in the creative use of a vocoder in the pre-chorus and then up to another level in the chorus itself.
One of the interesting things about this use of the vocoder is the layered vocals at different melodies, showing that the creation of the song featured Kristian Kostov singing multiple melodies before the final layers of production were applying to create the electronic effect desired for the track.
Away from the technical features of the track, the lyrics to “Built Different” remind us that each of us is on our own unique path, doing our own thing and living the way we want – “I don’t wanna be like you” – and that we’re all stars in our own way and shouldn’t get down about how we spend our day to day lives.
The song is written by Kristian Kostov himself alongside his brother Daniel Kostov, with production from Sasha Xuman.
Last spring, we sat down with Kristian Kostov to talk about his life since representing Bulgaria at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, where he achieved a second-place result with “Beautiful Mess”. Watch his long-raging discussion with Nathan which covered his participation in Kyiv, his appearance on Singer in China and what’s next for Kristian Kostov on our website and our YouTube channel.
You can stream “Built Different” on all streaming services now:
