Ears Wide Open: Mini Bear

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Mini Bear (Photo by Dave Quan)
Mini Bear (Photo by Dave Quan)

Mini Bear is the name for the analog adventures of dance-pop siren Lauren Kop, who sings about contemporary issues with the je ne sais quoi of the ’80s. “Cyberlove,” the follow-up to her 2016 debut EP “Mind Control,” is her latest single for New Professor Music, a laser-guided bounce through the foibles of making real connections in a time our gaze is fixed on screens more than human beings.

“I got out of a really long relationship and found myself immersed in the world of app dating and swipe culture where there’s too much choice,” Kop says. “It made me feel super anxious and disconnected. It can feel like a video game where people are endlessly swiping to achieve validation. ‘Cyberlove’ is a slightly dark take on the difficulties of trying to connect behind the screen, while still retaining that optimistic and fundamental human desire to connect and find love.”

An L.A. native who studied music and classical voice in San Diego, Kop is a self-taught synth whiz and drum programmer who writes and produces music in her bedroom. With more singles on the way in 2018, hers for now is a throwback disco sound. Swipe as you see fit.

||| Stream: “Cyberlove”

||| Live: Mini Bear performs Aug. 2 at the Satellite along with Polartropica, the Colour Coast and ZHAO. Tickets. Mini Bear is also playing Chinatown Summer Nights on Aug. 25 (details TBA).