★★★
Much like the awakening feeling conveyed in the aptly titled opening track of Ry X’s debut album (also named ‘Dawn’), this release feels like the Australian expat is just beginning to explore his potential as a musician.
‘Shortline’ is where we get the first glimpse of Ry X’s vocals. They’re dark, pained and mysterious – and this is the general sentiment felt throughout Dawn. The ethereal sound of easy listening tracks like ‘Salt’ and ‘Howling’ bring to mind artists like Bon Iver and James Vincent McMorrow – they are overall pretty, but not incredibly unique in this often saturated genre.
While ‘Only’ successfully continues the relaxed sound of Ry X’s promising first release, the Berlin EP, it’s towards the later tracks where the album starts to feel more adventurous and experimental. Both ‘Deliverance’ and ‘Haste’ use electronic beats to interesting effect, steering a little away from the album’s acoustic tendencies. ‘Sweat’ is perhaps the most interesting and gentle track on the record as it layers and builds delicately to its conclusion.
This release generally feels restrained. It’s easy to get lost in, but by the end, you’re not sure what you’ve taken from it.
Ry X’sDawnis out now through Liberator/Infectious.
