Ryan Hemsworth has just released a seven-track EP Still Awake which highlights his tight production work and eccentric talents.
Canada is fast becoming known as a global hotspot for experimental music and RYAN HEMSWORTH is certainly earning his title as a young, unique producer. He’s just released a seven-track EP Still Awake which highlights his tight production work and eccentric talents.
Plenty of buzz words have been chucked around in an attempt to categorise his work - “chillwave”, “trap”, “garage” - but he doesn’t strictly stick to a single genre.
HEMSWORTH has established a strong internet presence, especially with his remixes of 2012 hits such as “Genesis”, “Summertime Sadness” and “Thinkin’ Bout You”. Where he spun those tracks into a compressed, deeper interpretation here on the EP he channels a slower, deeper and more atmospheric sound.
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When ‘Empty Thoughts Over A Shallow Ocean’ opens, his signature twinkling synth sets ground for a full textured piece with deep bass and subtle vocals. It’s not quite dance but it’s upbeat enough to put you in a good mood. Whereas, ‘Perfectly’ follows with a pop mentality. There is generally a warm, optimistic feel to all his music but this one really begins to feel like the soundtrack to a seaside love story – romantic, electric and bright.
‘(。◕‿◕。) (or, I Want to Stare at Your Face Until I Die)’ is as charming as its title with a swirling synth loops and solid percussion underlying the high melody. HEMSWORTH delves into a more serious, serene sound with ‘Mistakes to Make’ and ‘track 5(crashed)’. It feels very far from home from his bass-driven dance tracks but worth a listen.
With the choppiness of FOUR TET and dreamy Californian haze of TEEN HAZE, HEMSWORTH collates seamless samples and tricky beats to create a sound of his own. ‘All Our Thoughts Are Physical’ is one of the most eclectic, with moody vocals and whining synth. The final track - a remix of Tokyo producer TAQUWAMI's ‘Perfectly’ – had a premature release last week and was held up as a “sunbathing tune” with “silky synth” and “toe-tapping percussion”. Sounds spot on. It’s just too bad we’re entering the colder months down under because this is definitely one for the lazy summer afternoon.
RYAN HEMSWORTH has made his EP Still Awake is available for download for free from his OFFICIAL SITE.
TRACKLIST
Words by Antigone Anagnostellis
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