U. Wytiki
Those who follow the singles post each week will have encountered Wytiki or Wieteke Wijte, an Amsterdam based singer-songwriter. She can be known through her stints as background singer for DeWolff and Eefje de Visser. Together with producer Daan Schepers she worked on her own songs. Thus it comes as no surprise that U is an EP filled with songs on the cusp of pop, electronics, dance and dreampop. Wytiki's voice has a dreamy quality that easily mesmerises. I can dream away on her singing without losing the connection with the voice and music. Behind Wytiki's voice synths play a big role but so does electronic percussion of all shapes and sizes. From my point of view this is dangerous music, as usually I do not like it. Why I like U is easily explained. Wytiki remains fully human and sings in a way that gives the electronics a warmth. Besides the songs being strong and interesting. U contains high class pop and not your everyday's. Every second is worthwhile listening to.
The Vices debuted with a nice album in 2021, 'Looking For Faces'. The band now releases a four song EP and continues where it left off, with a different set of songs that have a base in alternative rock. A song can take a turn left towards indie and right towards pop. With the album I wondered who The Vices really were, as there were so many different, well, faces on the album. On the EP things are not so different, you will find. What combines the four songs is the obvious pleasure of playing together and presenting the songs to the wider world. The outset of the songs may be very different, the centre instrument is the guitar. Just listen how many different parts there are in 'I Had A Name'. The band obviously worked hard on the arrangement, without being content with the obvious. The pop feel has some liking to Chefs' Special. In opening song The Vices are in totally different place, alternative rock. Loud and convincing. The odd one out is song four. A ballad, a piano, an empty sound and beatlesque, as they say. It shows once again how diverse the Groningen band is. Having supported Kensington for that band's farewell shows, it's time to move up a rung. Listening to Strange Again the band is ready for it.
Hazlett in an Australian in Stockholm and started his musical, solo career there. Preceded by a few singles earlier this year, he now releases his third EP. It is filled with dreamy songs. Songs that bring a melancholy mood to the listener. Hazlett's voice can be compared to a singer like Patrick Watson. His music is slightly more concrete than the often ethereal soundscapes of his Canadian colleague. They are there but the other instruments, whether digital or analogue are allowed to come through the mist of the soundscapes.
On Oh, Downhill Hazlett worked closely with friend and producer Freddy Alexander to create the music he hears in his head. The result is five songs that deserve intensive listening. To appreciate Hazlett's music you simply have to listen. There's nothing else for it. To do so is being rewarded with five modern day pop songs that are a little more mystical than the average singer-songwriter scoring huge hits this day, like George Ezra or Ed Sheeran. It makes Hazlett more interesting to listen to. As a bonus there's even a real hey-ho kind of song song on Oh, Downhill called 'My Skin'. After so many years, I can stomach a new one again. Five songs, five pleasures.
Wout de Natris
You can listen or order the EPs here:
https://wytiki.bandcamp.com/
https://www.mattanrecords.com/product-page/the-vices-strange-again-ep-vinyl
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