Melbourne's Cy Gorman has released this super-fresh EP mixing 808s, ukeleles, samples and Indonesian/Indian vocals and it sounds unlike anything we've heard before!
A multi-layered artist with projects including sound and light spectrum therapy, virtual reality, film, projection mapping and music, Cy's ability to float seemingly effortlessly between different ideas is apparent.
With a strong Asian influence, the Kupu Kupu EP, (recorded in Melbourne, London and Bali), goes from tough summery beats to cinematic hypnosis. 'Hati Hati' rocks a booming 808 beat with the addition of ukelele and vocals in both English and Indonesian ('hati hati kupu kupu' means 'take care butterfly').
The stand out track for me, 'Rasbhari Killah' wouldn't seem out of place in the new Bladerunner movie with it's post-dubstep saw waves, dreamlike vocals and piano interludes.
'Hipgnosis' reminds me of the kind of thing that LA's Sudan Archives is making, blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with all kinds of twists and beautifully odd and realised samples. An additional edit by Heard and Felt head honcho Ennio Styles aims it at the dancefloor in the sky.
Throughout, the production is first class, spacious, unhurried and bumping when it needs to be.
Last but defiantly (not a typo) not least is 'Hold', a stripped to the bone ballad built for the comedown, melancholic but hopeful with the squeakiest of vocal turns full of attitude and rasp.
With support from folk like Gilles Peterson, Jazzy Jeff, Andrew Jervis and Robert Luis (Tru Thoughts), Cy Gorman should be on your radar...pre-order your copy now or invest in one their extra special felt releases (they're not called Heard and Felt for nothing!).
This is the first time a Heard and Felt release will include actual felt pieces with physical copies. While the main Space Invaders-inspired cover image was made from felt as always, an ultra limited pressing of 30 lathe cut hand-stamped clear 10”s will each include a unique butterfly-cut felt sleeve insert. The records were cut by legendary New Zealand lathe cutter Peter King (whose credits include the Beastie Boys and many others). Made-to-order 'mini vinyl' CDs will include the cut out butterflies pressed into the clear casing.
