Hertfordshire artist BYFYN (AKA Ellie Isherwood) releases introspective synth-pop single ‘I Love Me Too’ today, the latest in a line of exhilarating, textured electronic vignettes. With it she also announces her new EP ‘In Blue With You’ for December 9th.
Each release so far has been a building block in developing a sound that calls to mind Grimes, Robyn, Chvrches or Let’s Eat Grandma. She takes glossy synths and re-purposes them through a LoFi filter to create something wholly unique in tone.
On ‘I Love Me Too’ it’s not just the synths that are glossy. Atop dreamscape washes, twinkling melodies and AM-retro drum machine beats, Ellie’s vocals rail against the over-stated role of self-love, and self-empowerment in overcoming mental health issues. She presents the idea as something superficially pristine, and simplistic in the face of something we need to keep working at. The lyrics to this point are echoed in the music video. As Ellie elaborates further:
“like 1996 reimagined for 2016 – AKA a strange mixture of Grimes and Chicane” Noisey
“dark, ambient electronic dream pop” Loud & Quiet
“dark, captivating synth-pop” DIY
“a bold new voice, one that combines left field electronics with a daring pop touch” Clash
