Steadily emerging from the Australian electro scene, producer Cal Young and singer-songwriter Calypso Brown have synthesised their musical attributes to form S L O W. Preceded by their debut ‘At Midnight’, which saw promising success in Australia, the new single ‘Washed Out Fantasy’ offers a glossy, experimental sound, punctuated by Brown’s yearning melodies and polished by Young’s production abilities.
A looped, repetitive beginning gives way to soaring vocals and fluttering synths, into which the lyrics melt. The story-telling, narrative nature of the song recalls elements of some of Bat For Lashes’ music. The duo have stated that the lyrics comment on “the power that each person has to perceive the world around them in a certain way and, through doing this, shape a unique reality”. It’s encouraging an acceptance of reality, to refrain from enveloping yourself in fantasy. Yet it’s hard not to become engaged with this track.
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The shimmery, Sia-esque vocals, along with the droning unconventional harmonies, create a sense of near-hypnosis. It’s not particularly mind-blowing, but it’s relaxing enough to be jolted back to reality by the abrupt ending. You almost expect it to carry on forever.
S L O W’s eponymous debut EP is out on the 23rd October.
Words by Zia Larty-Healy