With Billionaire Bitch, Dutch-Canadian producer apaull delivers a high-quality techno release that we are pleased to feature on our webzine. Executive-produced by New York legend Abe Duque and released on Furnace Room Records, the single arrives in both its full original mix and a concise radio edit, offering two sharp perspectives on a track that blends club-ready tension with pointed thematic intent.
Built on techno and minimal techno foundations, Billionaire Bitch opens with a rhythmic framework that pulses between bass and string elements. The beat emerges with an understated but insistent momentum, shaped by tight percussive patterns that establish a steady, dance-floor-oriented grid. The groove is anchored in repetition, yet subtly shifting accents prevent stagnation, allowing the rhythm to expand and contract with mechanical precision. As the structure evolves, the initial strings gradually fade, giving space to synth textures that carry a distinct “synthwavey” hue. These tonal shifts enrich the atmosphere without disrupting the track’s minimalist core, creating a sense of forward movement that feels both calculated and immersive.
The synth work plays a central role in defining the track’s mood. apaull juxtaposes warm, analog-leaning timbres with colder, sharper lines, producing a contrast that mirrors the thematic dichotomy at play. The melodic elements remain restrained, often circling back to short motifs rather than extended progressions, allowing texture and rhythm to dominate. This approach gives the track a cinematic tension—an atmosphere that hints at unease while maintaining club functionality.
Lyrically, the track explores the influence of wealth on the American political landscape. apaull’s vocal line, introduced late in the arrangement, reinforces the central message with a stark plea: “Somebody turn off that money switch.” Referencing figures like Musk, Soros, Gates, and Bezos, the song questions whether billionaire involvement in politics is ever benevolent or simply aligned with polarizing agendas. The vocal delivery, understated yet direct, integrates seamlessly into the rhythmic fabric rather than overpowering it, preserving the track’s minimal techno integrity.
The release is accompanied by striking visual artwork created by apaull (Paul van der Werf), with lettering by renowned Brooklyn artist Al Diaz, whose legacy includes early collaborations with Jean-Michel Basquiat on the SAMO® project. This visual component aligns with apaull’s broader creative ethos, which frequently merges music with collaborations across the art world.
With more than 30 releases in three years and continued international momentum, apaull positions Billionaire Bitch as another strong step in a growing catalog that bridges techno, synthwave aesthetics, and socially aware thematic narratives.
