There is something to be said for the wide field of options that electronic music opened to the world since its inception. The manipulation of what was once though to be a finite amount of sounds has given way to an avalanche of new, found sounds and a re-writing of what was considered conventional sound. In the hands of a producer, a song can go in as many directions as the imagination can manage.
Enter Belfast-based, North-Coast bred producer FVRY. A ZOOL Records affiliate and occasional collaborator with sound-scaper blxxd, FVRY has seen some success with his previously released EP '171'. it came at a time when I had first met the producer, when he was inspired by Owl City to make "pretty music". Now back with his newest release 'Grateful For Insomnia', he has embraced the ideals of experimentation and boundary pushing fully - gone is his desire for anything pretty, with investment in mixing a variety of dub heavy beats with vocals ranging between hardcore and art-rock.
As an artist always willing to collaborate, FVRY drew the best from his guesting vocalists on his second EP. Ashely Hamilton of Sex Hardcore and Mosmo Strange fame features on opening track 'Last Of The Wild Things', a bass driven number with a ferocious call to a action. His harder vocals give the already malicious track, with its steely drone and ferocious drum track. The careful guiding of Hamiltons vocals, as well as the clear hard-style influence on the lyrics, add to the exhilarating rush of the EP opener.
Following tracks 'River Styx' and 'Grateful For Insomnia' meanwhile harken back to the roots of the producer whilst also looking to break new ground. Incorporating the vocals of Don Maple on 'River...' gives the track a a sense of direction, the electronically scalded art-rap and driving beat providing the high point in the release, whilst the final track retains a full-bodied "pretty" nature that sounds more akin to a modern pop song.
A strong release from one of the norths most underrated producers, 'Grateful For Insomnia' is available to stream now on all platforms.