Tsar B steps out from the smoke on her debut self-titled EP

There’s a lot of things Belgium gets so right. As Tsar B makes a bold introduction with her debut self-titled EP, it’s time to add intoxicating dark-pop to that list.

The solo project of 22-year old Justine Bourgeus, Tsar B’s self-assured arrival towards the end of 2015 with the thumping "Escalate" was one masked in intrigue. After all, hadn’t we seen the last of alt-R&B? Even The Weeknd was going all pop. But this was no ordinary crack at it.

"Escalate", which closes Tsar B, feels not of this planet. The comparisons to the beautiful yet skin-crawling treat that was FKA twigs’ M3LL155X didn’t quite paint the whole picture. While the obfuscated, often malevolent, vocals and the churning beats were present and correct, it had a real Middle Eastern flavour to it. TĀLĀ had she chosen a more deliciously dark route.

The rest of the EP only heightens this off-kilter feel; traditional Middle Easter string instruments crashing up against ominous synth lines. "Myth" is as good an introduction as any to the world of Tsar B. A world of shifting walls, of fragrant smoke that hides all manner of secrets. Bourgeus’s vocals soar with that unusual quality, backed by threateningly metallic percussion and the echoey, distorted strings.

"Fort" meanwhile sees Bourgeus at her Björk-iest; synths bubbling across the track like a cauldron of unknown contents. The real stand out, however, is her latest single "Swim".

What melody there is is twisted and misshapen into something unusual yet enticing. From the minute the trumpets kick in with their ominously dry quality, this hypnotising track is one that burrows deep into your brain.

While we may have already put the once-saturated alt-R&B to rest, if Tsar B is its new, mysterious face, I think it might be time to herald its return with aplomb.