Idol One Review

 

Idol one is a dark, surreal show about the heights of celebrity and the lowest depths of exploitation. It’s a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked social media influence, which is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt that their self-importance was eclipsed by an algorithm.

It’s a boldly original show that isn’t afraid to tackle heavy themes like abuse, depression, and the dark side of social media. It also delves into the highs and lows of a career in music and the pressures that can cause people to lose their way. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride and is definitely not for everyone, especially those that are uncomfortable with sometimes excessive nudity, sexual situations, and drug use.

The cast is excellent. Lily-Rose Depp is mesmerizing as Jocelyn, playing her character’s maniacal self-absorption with a kinetic range that moves between frayed and wounded to composed and ruthless. Troye Sivan is a magnetic presence as Xander, the childhood friend whose wounds are inextricably tied to Jocelyn’s own. And Moses Sumney and Suzanne Son are captivating as members of Jocelyn’s band. The only weak link is Abel Tesfaye’s performance as Tedros, the club owner who serves as Jocelyn’s reactionary voyeur.

In the end, however, the story squanders its potential for impact by getting bogged down in its own lurid, seedy drama. It’s a shame, because Levinson and Tesfaye have created an incredibly compelling soundtrack that speaks to the show’s themes without having to be seen in order to be understood.

It’s a collection of songs that melds the percussive drive of South African musical genre Kwaito with EDM’s familiar بت یک hype song structure and a dash of traditional Korean instrumentation. It’s a dense blend that creates an unrelenting sense of production bombast and never lets up. Whether it’s World Class Sinner, the show’s diegetic comeback single that is simultaneously an arch collage of bad-girl tropes and a shimmering pop banger or Fill the Void, a hypnotically serpentine dirge with echoes of grinding electro, each song is an absolute gem.

Nevertheless, for the most part, Idol one is a well-written and provocative series that’s worth your time. If you can stomach the sometimes-excessive nudity and a few scenes that may push some viewers to the edge of their comfort zone, then this is an enjoyable ride that explores the highest highs and the deepest lows of celebrity culture. And for those that are fans of The Weeknd, you’ll be pleased to see that he hasn’t lost his touch. He has written and recorded the soundtrack to the show. It will be available to stream and purchase on April 20.