We Speak Music
Deron Daum Unleashes Third Chapter of His Murder-Mystery Saga with Gritty New Single
The story of “Who Is Reptyle Brainz?” takes a dark turn as Detective Emma Simms steps into the spotlight
Rising alternative artist Deron Daum returns with the third installment of his unfolding murder-mystery concept album, Who Is Reptyle Brainz? — and this time, the story truly begins.
Set at the scene of a murder, the new single introduces listeners to Detective Emma Simms as she interrogates a cast of potential suspects. Musically, the track hits with a raw, hard rock intensity that mirrors Emma’s commanding presence — but with a twist: there are no guitars. Every gritty riff and driving force is created entirely on bass, giving the song a uniquely heavy and hypnotic edge.
With unmistakable nods to Led Zeppelin, including Daum’s highest vocal performance to date, the track blends classic rock influence with a modern, genre-bending approach. The result is a dark, pulsing anthem that feels like a thriller you can dance to — equal parts suspenseful and irresistibly catchy.
Deron Daum has steadily built a global audience, amassing over 700,000 Spotify streams, 180,000+ listeners, and placements across more than 4,000 playlists. His music has quietly but powerfully found its way into listeners’ headphones worldwide, driven by a fearless approach to sound and storytelling.
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Daum began his musical journey at age six on piano before expanding into songwriting and performing in bands as a teenager. After relocating to Seattle in 1997, he formed the band Bendt, which achieved a #1 track on MP3.com. Following a 23-year career at Microsoft, Daum shifted his focus fully to music, launching his solo career in 2021.
His evolution as an artist has been anything but predictable. From his ambitious debut album to a reinvention into a sharper indie-pop sound with the single “Login:”, and later experimentation across his 2023 and 2024 releases, Daum continues to push creative boundaries. His 2025 releases further showcased his range, including a reimagining of the classic “Question” by The Moody Blues.
Now, with Who Is Reptyle Brainz?, Daum enters his boldest era yet — a serialized concept project rolling out throughout 2026. Drawing inspiration from artists like Nine Inch Nails, Royal Blood, Rezz, and Twenty One Pilots, the album fuses dark, industrial textures with dancefloor-ready energy.
Outside of his solo work, Daum is a mixing and recording engineer at MagicMix Studio near Seattle. A devoted fan of J. R. R. Tolkien, he often embeds hidden puzzles and references into his music, rewarding attentive listeners with deeper layers of meaning.
With this latest single, the mystery intensifies, the sound grows heavier, and the stakes rise. One thing is certain — the world of Reptyle Brainz is only just beginning to unfold.
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
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