Taken from @vynehall.
A true industry veteran, Leon Vynehall has had a twisty career path in his decade-plus of active creating. Taking a sharp right from the accessible, chill material of his early career, he stepped into classically tinged ambient music with his debut, Nothing Is Still, before pivoting again to a solitary brand of house music. With a bit of breathing room from his last full-length effort, Leon Vynehall is getting active once again with a string of singles like “Shellac,” released to streaming platforms this month. Here’s why the British DJ deserves your attention and how his recent output aligns with recent electronic trends.
Utilizing phasing synths and a muddy, repetitive sample, “Shellac” is a perfect example of what makes Vynehall’s latest leg so addictive. The vocal flip provides the only lyrics on the track: “Paint on your Shellac / I need you so much,” an emotional center that gives way to the woozy grooves and techno bonafides that make this a true club banger.
Where To Start With Leon Vynehall After “Shellac”
Tracking Leon Vynehall’s development from “lo-fi” electronic music in his early career to these thumping, nocturnal arrangements is always top of mind when he releases new material. However, an important anniversary makes the connection all the more important. The British producer marked ten years of his seminal EP, Music For The Uninvited, with a deluxe edition earlier this year. Adding two somber tracks, “In Blue” and “Pieces,” the toned-down fare that defines that record almost sounds like it came from a different artist entirely, but the LP remains gorgeous all the same.
With acts like Overmono and Fred again.. reaching mainstream prominence utilizing aesthetics that the UK product has majored in at different points in his arc, Leon Vynehall should be on your radar if you’re in either artists’ fanbase.
Catch “Shellac” and all of the Leon Vynehall catalog wherever you stream your music.
Elsewhere in our coverage, Jamie xx – In Waves continues a banner year for the electronic genre.
