Elkyn - Beech EP Remixes
Hopefully since our recent live review, you’ll now be familiar with the Yorkshire-based ambient folk artist Elkyn (Joseph Donnelly). If you’re not caught up, you can catch up here…
Beech Remixes Album Artwork
Elkyn’s ‘Beech’ EP was released earlier this year, encompassing a cosy, warm collection of music tailored to the upcoming autumnal season. Building on the EP’s tracks are Miles (Elkyn’s Brother), Mark Peters, S.T. Manville, Tim Wright, Mark Gustafson and Ruin Fidelity. Reworking the tracks to fit their own interpretation of the music, the remixed EP provides a range of contrasting moods and atmosphere, creating a beautifully dreamy journey through the minds of the collaborative artists.
The shadow of the EP’s original opener is still present throughout Miles’ remix of ‘Seventeen’, now igniting with an overlaying reminiscent conversation about ‘Beech Avenue’. Electronic pads and soft fleeting adlibs flow in and out of each other in the EP’s opening build up, seeing Elkyn’s vocal phrasings stretched, shortened and overlapping one another until eventually being swallowed under a sea of soft, reverberated effects.
The leading single off the remixed EP is second track ‘Yue’ (Mark Peters Remix). Decorating the track in a darker energy and weighty synths, the new interpretation of the track creates a quieter, emptier feeling of heartache inside as the atmosphere conjures a fleeting glimmer of the past before a final feeling of acceptance creeps in.
Taking on a lighter aura, Avenue (Mark Gustafson Remix) slowly builds upon harmonised strings before the original riff of the track is played in the delicate style of a music box instead of guitar. Not straying too far from the original vocals, the remix builds on the tracks foundations, adding fuller pads, busier bass riffs, and an electric guitar solo. The style of the re-worked track definitely adds an accessible, ‘poppy’ feel to its ambience without affecting the emotive integrity of the songs original theme.
Pictured: Elkyn
‘Here’ (Ruin Fidelity Remix) follows in the track listing, focusing on a calmer soundscape with a more electronic feel. With drum machines and additional synthesised riffs growing around the song in a beautifully neat and aesthetic fashion, the remixed ‘Here’ is certainly akin to Aphex Twin’s ambient works. The re-work of the track carries a certain feeling of nostalgia within its layers, projecting a warm and safe aura of looking back to the past.
Also taking on a ‘poppier’ kind of style, ‘Winter’ (Joe Johnson Remix) explores an accessible, radio-friendly style. Adding a full drumkit, a lead electric guitar and synthesised strings, the music’s atmosphere feels a little closer to an alt-noughties soft rock track. Detailed with slides and reverb, ‘Winter’ certainly takes on a whole new identity.
Penultimate on the remixed EP is ‘Again’ (S.T. Manville Remix) which takes on a more electronic focus than the prior track. Utilising condensed drum machines and synth pads with sustained piano riffs, the track transforms from ambient folk to bedroom lo-fi. Contrasting with the original composition, the hip-hop influenced beats provide a cool air of steady serenity.
Closing the ‘Beech’ Remixes is ‘Stupid World’ (Tim Wright Remix). Allowing the vocals to take centre stage in the songs introduction, drum machines and electro-adlibs gradually make their way to the forefront. Radiating a similarly cloudy atmosphere to ‘Yue’ (Mark Peters Remix), the track certainly suits its place of closing the EP. With thick, dark synth pads laying beneath the track, the alternative version manifests an air of longing and solemn acceptance.
The ‘Beech’ EP Remixes create a wonderful insight to the way Elkyn’s music is perceived by others. Projecting an internal reflection within ourselves, the emotion worked into his music is bound to make the tracks sound so different to each and every one of us. Whether it’s an original or remixed track, it’s always going to be a pleasure delving into the hypnotic world of Elkyn.
Stream Elkyn’s music below.
Streaming Sites: https://distribute.avid.com/smartlink.cfm?MTAwMDAwMzIwOTgz&fbclid=IwAR00xZm1V00HaiAp_CFHIV7_dL41-bYvyqN-SXDV0OfWxlvtAeai0clkM0k
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/elkynband/sets/beech-remixes/s-vAmN83oozO3
Bandcamp: https://elkyn.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: @elkyn_music_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elkynband
Twitter: @elkyn_music_