My Nguyen 
Multi-instrumentalist Kayla Painter is no stranger to the ambient/electronic/experimental scenes. Hailing from Bristol, UK, Painter has been enlisting her chops in collaborative AV performances, writing music for TV shows, a range of movies, as well as working on commissions to non-commercial releases and funded projects, and crafting singles and remixes for such creatives like W. H. Lung and Scrimshire.
But it is in her solo work where Painter’s talents as a multi-instrumentalist truly shines. Her latest EP Somewhen, released on October 8th, explores human relationships and sound. More specifically, it focuses on “lost and vibrant future landscapes” and Painter’s personal relationship with her Fijian-British heritage.
The EP is submerged in synths and reverb, producing a sound that highlights both rich sounds and mesmerizing displays of color. As the artist paints a surreal and other-worldly picture for audiences, she connects two cultures as well as the past and future for a fantastic dream we can all share in.
Somewhen opens with “Phantom Ships” that starts off with some startling synths. The sound slowly unwinds and eventually some plucking strings arrest the vibes. The sound, though sparse, has a way of reverberating with you. The electronic beats then pick up for a euphoric sound. More synths then sound off for an airy and poignant, ethereal vibe. Beats and synths swirl and surround listeners on “Unseen and Unknown.” The sounds then build and build for an enticing listening experience. The electronic riffs soar and produce something compelling you can turn to again and again. The glitch-y horns and synths make for a shimmering melodic sound. I was engaged right from the start. On “Mangrove Forest,” some futuristic synths give this track a breath of fresh air. The sound then surrounds you, immersing you in this other-worldly soundscape. Next, the beats gain traction as retro-styled keys lean into a melodic tune. What sounds like xylophones give off some unconventional instrumentation.
As warbling synths encase the start of “Beginnings from the Sea.” The sound of static also comes in. Eerily some distant vocals come in and out of this song. It sounds very ghostly and surreal. Some strings add a lush orchestral element to the music. More synths swirl into the sounds on “Constellation.” Feeling darker in vibe than what we’ve seen previously, this track unleashes a very somber and ominous feel. As the haunting music washes over you, you can’t help but feel a dark force surrounding you. There was just something so mysterious about this track like walking through a forest at night or seeing the night sky opening up before you – I was magnetized from the start by the enigmatic sounds. Painter closes the EP with this moving finale.
The talented experimental artist and producer has a way of shaping soundscapes. On her Somewhen EP, listeners will have the chance to immerse themselves in these hypnotic sonic displays. I recommend listening to this album with headphones on to properly absorb all the great melodies and riffs. As Painter shares with us her unique vision on this dazzling EP, she shows a whole lot of potential here and I look forward to seeing what’s next for her.
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