Skrillex & Bibi Bourelly, Painting Rainbows | DANCE GEMZ

In the 16^th edition of DANCE GEMZ (2023), we totally get down with Skrillex and Bibi Bourelly performing the danceable gem, “Painting Rainbows.” 

Prepare to take it to the dance floor, folks! DANCE GEMZ is a column that celebrates awesome dance songs from the past and present.  The records that grace DANCE GEMZ aren’t merely limited to music explicitly characterized as dance.  That means all genres of music – electronic, pop, rock, disco, etc. – are welcome as long as the particular song is associated with dance. In the 16^th edition of DANCE GEMZ (2023), we totally get down with Skrillex and Bibi Bourelly performing the danceable gem, “Painting Rainbows”.

“This is the original / but don’t run it up / Don’t run it up / D-Don’t run it up…” Grammy-winning DJ/producer Skrillex (Sonny Moore) and German American singer Bibi Bourelly join forces to paint rainbows … Okurrr! “Painting Rainbows” appears as the 12^th and final track off Don’t Get Too Close, one of two albums released by Skrillex in 2023. Moore produced “Painting Rainbows” alongside Deputy with positive results (infectious groove and colorful keys and synths). Of course, Bourelly handles the vocals, which intriguing from the explicit intro onward (“They want, me to / Ask to speak, fuck that”).  Clearly, nobody tells her what to do!

Bibi Bourelly has quite the voice – commanding, distinct, and expressive.  The power she brings on “Painting Rainbows,” whether rapping or singing, draws the listener’s attention.  In the first verse, she sounds a bit more enigmatic, with unique effects on her rapped vocals.  Soon enough, the singing comes through on the titular lyrics (verse two), where Bibi asserts, “Paintin’ rainbows when it storm, when it rain / Paintin’ rainbows on the seats in a train / I paint rainbows when I speak, when I sing.” Woo! As the track progresses, there is no shortage of profanity, as Bibi flexes her sunshine hard for the dreamers.  At the end of this entertaining record, she reiterates one of its surefire mic drop moments: “I stand fit, I will never fall back / If you inauthentic, you’re my doormat.” While “Painting Rainbows” features some traditional sections, the form should not be characterized as traditional itself.

Skrillex • Don’t Get Too Close • OWSLA / Atlantic • 2023

Skrillex & Bibi Bourelly, Painting Rainbows: Dance Gemz No. 16 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; OWSLA / Atlantic; Beatriz Braga, Dhemer Gonçalves, Niko Twisty, via Pexels]