EP Review: Christopher Dixit - L.B.B.M.

Summer vibes are all around us, as speakers thump during afternoon BBQs and the sky stays light until we’re drunk. It’s all about the positive mood, something that Parisian electronic artist Christopher Dixit uses to create. “Little Black Beard’s Mood” is his new EP that just came out on Nowadays Records in mid-July. The timing couldn’t be better for this journey through electronica. 

Let’s get to the details: 

Released: July 17, 2015

Genres: electronic, future beat

Tracks: 5

Who would like this EP?

Anticonformist electro heads who enjoy instrumental and sampled mixes of different cultures and styles. 

Our thoughts:

The envelope keeps getting pushed in the world of electronic music. DIXIT takes inspiration from things like Japanese culture and video games, applies a deep understanding of beatmaking, and weaves stories throughout the five tracks on this EP. 

The styling is wide, meaning this music can pair well in many different sorts of playlists. Our favorite track is probably “Mini Synthèse” for its clever use of sampling to produce the feel of different genres, all in one song! 

Never stop jamming.

Listen to “L.B.B.M” by Christopher DIXIT

  • June, 22 2015
  • music
  • ep review
  • feynman
  • illusions
  • fake music
  • electronic

EP Review: Feynman - “Illusions”

Every so often an artist comes along that can rivet you without words. Someone who can create entire atmospheres of feeling and emotion with no air. Someone with the ability to paint a picture with no paint. You get the idea. Right now that artist is Feynman, who - not to be confused with the legendary physicist - has been spinning around the world like electrons in an Heisenberg uncertainty principle. 

He just released his EP “Illusions,” on Fake Music. Let’s get the details: 

Released: May 25, 2015

Genres: electronic

Tracks: 5

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Ratatat’s beats, Daft Punk’s funk, The Chemical Brother’s energy. 

Our thoughts:

It’s been a while since an emerging artist has delivered such a high-energy EP, where the funk runs rampant like a hippopotamus in a flooded Georgian zoo. Feynman weaves threads of style and swagger through rises and falls. “Diego in Vegas” is a turn-your-speaker-up-until-your-neighbors-fucking-hate-you track that will get your bones a-rattling. 

But at the same time it’s rather classic, settling in for the sort of mainstream electronica that enabled Daft Punk to rise to global fame. This is comforting in an era where experimentation has gone to such extremes that genre defining has become a one-song game. 

Pump it up!  

Listen to “Illusions”

  • June, 9 2015
  • music
  • ep review
  • havana cultura
  • daymé arocena
  • jazz
  • cuban
  • latin

EP Review: Daymé Arocena - “The Havana Cultura Sessions”

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We listen to a lot of electronic music, especially here in the urban Parisian music scene, so it’s really nice to break out of that mentality and cleanse your ears with something totally new and unexpected. We recommend heading down to the Caribbean to the cultural anomaly known as Cuba, and the singer Daymé Arocena, who was picked up by Gilles Peterson and the Havana Club Rum “Havana Cultura” series. 

She teased the world with this EP recorded over a few days in Havana and London, and her new album “Nueva Era” is out soon.

Released: March 30, 2015

Genres: cuba, latin, jazz

Tracks: 4 

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Ibeyi’s vibe, Nina Simone’s voice, and Charlie Parker’s horns. 

Our thoughts:

Does talent exist? If you need an example to prove the affirmative response to this question, just take one listen to Daymé Arocena’s voice. She is practically pouring soul into the microphone, and she’s only 22 years old. 

Her mixtures of Cuban and afro-caribbean style is unexpected and fresh. Her sense of jazz and instrumentalization is just light enough to keep from bogging down the focal point - her voice - but bops along to piano and drums like their rhythms had naturally fallen from the atmosphere. 

The most amazing part is that you feel like she is holding something back, she wants to break into scat, but she keeps it under control. Maybe she’s saving it for later. Maybe she doesn’t want to show all her cards. But there is something monumental underneath, and let’s all hope that she shows it one day. 

Listen to “The Havana Cultura Sessions”

  • May, 19 2015
  • music
  • ep review
  • maia vidal
  • the tide
  • crammed music
  • new music

EP Review: Maïa Vidal - “The Tide”

Here at Whyd, we know a few things about being international. Our team is often dispersed across Europe, the United States, and Asia at any given time, and our community is just as diverse. We appreciate the perspective that this quality brings, and embodying this global spirit is Maïa Vidal, whose Facebook bio states quite proudly that she is “Franco-American, Barcelona-based, eclecto-pop ingenue, (+singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/filmmaker/visual artist)… breaking hearts and blowing minds since 1988.”

She just released her latest EP, “The Tide” yesterday, here’s the deal: 

Released: May 18, 2015

Genres: eclecto pop

Tracks: 6 (3 original cuts, and 3 remixes of those same tracks)

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Ellie Goulding’s voice, people who like Lana Del Rey’s orchestral arrangements. 

Our thoughts:

Having been active for many years now, Maïa has produced a lot of music across her past projects, all of which culminates in “The Tide,” an exercise in musicality. Her catchy hooks are thought-provoking. Her voice seduces. There is a lot of originality in her lyrics. Overall, the three songs beg for more. 

Which brings us to the weakest point of the EP, the three remixes. The two remixes of the title track “The Tide” erase a bit of her magic. We understand that this is a trend now, to include remixes on EPs to fill it out, but repeating a track three times on a 6 track EP reduces the impact and power of what Maïa Vidal has put together. 

Her original versions are more than enough! And you’ll find yourself singing the hooks even after the very first listen. 

Listen to “The Tide”

EP Review: We Are Spring - WE ARE SPRING

The sun is out and it’s hot in the incubator here in Paris. Spring has sprung, nearly into summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to embrace the three dudes from Paris known as We Are Spring. They just released their new EP, capped off with a few shows around Paris over the last few weeks. Here’s the deal: 

Released: April 29, 2015

Genres: dreamy pop

Tracks: 4

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Woodkid’s vocals, Elvis’s crooning.

Our thoughts:

There is one word that comes to mind when listening to We Are Spring’s EP: succulent. Each song sounds like it is ripe with sweet juice just ready to be bitten into. There is a richness to the way that the songs build. There is balance. 

While it sounds a lot like Woodkid and his orchestral adventures, We Are Spring manages to stay more on the dreamier side, finding the sweet spot between shoe gaze and pop. A highly enjoyable listen for a spring afternoon.  

Listen to “We Are Spring” EP

EP Review: MiM - “Samsara”

This week’s EP Review sees the release of MiM’s new EP “Samsara.” Hailing from Paris, MiM made the music for the opening of the Canal+ series “Bref.” Now he’s teamed up with a bunch of talented artists and released “Samsara” on Chateau Bruyant Records. Let’s get to the details:  

Released: April 20, 2015

Genres: hip hop, trap, grime, deep

Tracks: 5

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Grimes’s vocals and mixes, people who like The XX’s vibe

Our thoughts:

Never before in the history of music has there been such a convergence of trends and styles. Today it’s possible to take samples, spin them towards diverging directions, lay down some fat beats, get some seductive vocals and somehow you have music - music that actually sounds pretty good. MiM is the latest to follow in the steps of this trend. “Samsara” is like an international banquet of finger foods with each morsel delicately prepared and served on a toothpick for our enjoyment. 

Blow” featuring Anna Kova is without question the most poppy track, but it still manages to weave between a dozen genres and come out on the other side feeling complete - no easy feat. 

Sometimes it feels like there is too much going on, and in these moments MiM’s personality gets a bit lost. This is the risk with being so eclectic. Luckily these moments are few and far between. The overall result is a satisfying adventure through the world’s urban cultures that leaves you wanting more. 

Listen to “Samsara” by MiM

EP Review: Lyonn - “We’ll Light The Sky”

Our next EP review features the American alt duo Lyonn, who just released their debut EP “We’ll Light The Sky.” Let’s get to the details:  

Released: March 31, 2015

Genres: alternative, alt pop, indie

Tracks: 4

Who would like this EP?

Fans of From Kid’s vocal harmonies, Two Door Cinema Club

Our thoughts:

There is something that happens when two musicians come together instead of one. Case in point: Lyonn’s project started as a single singer-songwriter but after chemisty percolated one became two. There is an added depth, sure, but there is much more energy. Lyonn, made up of Tyler Gelrud and Attila Yavuzer, have struck a path down the center of indie pop with “We’ll Light The Sky,” studded with positive harmonies and catchy hooks. 

The first track, “Empty Bed” could have come out of the emo wave of the 90s and early 2000s, but nothing about it feels repetitive. The title track, “We’ll Light The Sky” hints at the “deep” trend that is rolling through contemporary music right now. It’s a mix of past and present, pushed over the edge by how earnest it all sounds. 

Overall, for anyone looking for a solid group of alternative tracks, Lyonn will not disappoint. 

Listen to “We’ll Light The Sky” by Lyonn

EP Review: Poldoore - “Blind Eyes” feat. Awon, Dephlow, Cise Star + More

For those of you who have been with us from the beginning, you might remember the story of Poldoore from two years ago. The Belgian producer was discovered by Cave aux Poètes concert venue in Lille, France because his music was shared on Whyd. The program manager booked him, and since then he has seen a strong rise in popularity here in Europe and beyond. 

After a big 2014, he’s back with another EP for 2015. “Blind Eyes” is out on Cult Classic Records, and features artists like Awon, Dephlow, and Cise Star. Let’s get to the details!  

Released: March 24, 2015

Genres: jazzy hip hop

Tracks: 3

Who would like this EP?

Fans of 20syl’s and Chinese Man’s beats, fans of The Roots’ lyrical style

Our thoughts:

If there is a trendy sound in hip hop today, it comes from the mix of jazz-oriented saxophones cut in between scratched vocal samples, and Poldoore’s latest effort weaves in and out of this category – which is fitting, since he has staked his name on that sound. But “Blind Eyes” goes further. Lyrical and strong at the same time, there is no doubt that the collaborations on “Blind Eyes” bring a levity and seriousness to this EP. 

To Poldoore fans, “Blind Eyes” (the title song) will be an instant classic. “Never Defeated” is poppy enough to make it onto mainstream radio, lifted by the seductive female vocals. In total, the range present in this one, 3-track EP is very impressive, and if it’s a sign of things to come, the future will continue to be bright for Poldoore. 

Listen to Poldoore - “Blind Eyes” 

EP Review: Oh Morice - “The Shapes”

A long long time ago, when Whyd was just a little chubby baby wiggling in its cradle, we interviewed an artist called Oh Morice (aka Patrick). At the time, he was working on his EP “The Shapes” but he had not formally released it yet because he was “looking for a serious label.” 

After nearly two years of hard work and dedication, his EP “The Shapes” was released officially last week on Alter-K. Here’s the deal: 

Released: March 16, 2015

Genres: electronic rock, synthpop

Tracks: 12

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Bastille’s vibes/vocals, people who like Empire of the Sun’s compositions.

Our thoughts:

While we are partial to people who we have been following for a while, this EP has a lot to offer. Careening between English and French lyrics, Patrick’s vocals and guest singers, there is a communality that comes from his layering and use of accompanying sounds like claps, recorders, and harmonicas - like you are listening to this EP with other people. There is also a simplicity, formed around the strategic repetition of certain lyrics, that comes out very strongly through the often muted vocals. Top this all off with the extra-terrestrial electronic touches and the result is an innovative next step in the continuum of electronic rock. One that might not always please, but never fails to inspire. 

Listen to Oh Morice - “The Shapes” 

EP Review: Kagu

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A few weeks ago we featured a talented producer from Sudan, and now, our focus on emerging music turns to the land of red sand and open spaces, known for barrier reefs and unending beaches. Australia’s Sean Heathcliff has become the musical entity Kagu, releasing his first eponymous EP this week out on Humming Records

Released: March 10, 2015

Genres: singer-songwriter

Tracks: 4

Who would like this EP?

Fans of Bon Iver’s vocals, people who like Beck’s guitar arrangements.

Our thoughts:

Singer-songwriters are a nickel a dozen these days. As a songwriter, It’s easy to fall into a trap that people will be carried by your lyrics alone. Yet poetry does not command the influence it once did (unless it’s clever hip hop). To be successful, this style of music needs to become more, it needs to be delicate and luscious at the same time. It has to feel full, with a combination of seductive vocals and layers of complexity, the more surprising the better. Kagu does exactly this: managing to walk the tightrope between annoying angst and overproduced orchestras. The result is an honest, delightful, and highly pleasing EP that signifies a powerful career to come. Just one listen to “Shadow of the Wind” and you’ll understand why. 

Listen to Kagu’s EP here