With all the female electropop hype that has dominated 2009's musical landscape, FrYars has been a tad overlooked, which is a shame, since his compelling debut album fully realises the potential suggested by previous singles, presenting a window into the muse of a hugely talented individual. Essentially located at a grid point somewhere between the flamboyantly-coloured pop of Frankmusik and the windswept eccentric adventures of Patrick Wolf, 'Dark Young Hearts' is a frighteningly assured debut from 19 year old Ben Garrett. "You should have died that very night", he threatens menacingly on the chorus to 'The Ides', over plinky-plonk pianos and sprightly synths, capturing the essence of darkness that runs through Garrett's tales. Macabre revenge story 'Olive Eyes' remains a startlingly vivid piece of electro-pop, whilst the likes of 'Lakehouse' and 'Visitors' similarly demonstrate FrYars penchant for the genre, aided and abetted by the pedigree (Pet Shop Boys, OMD, New Order) of producer Stephen Hague (and vocals from Dave Gahan on the latter). Elsewhere 'DYH' is more rustic in sound (the gorgeously-crooned piano balladry of 'The Novelist's Wife' is redolent of Nick Cave or even Ed Harcourt) but it's all shot through with that same arty vision of spine tingling sonic beauty, story-telling drama and intelligence. Captivating stuff, all told. MS
Sep 4, 2009
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1 min read
Album Review: FrYars – Dark Young Hearts (FrYarcorp)
FrYars' debut album Dark Young Hearts is a confident electropop record, produced by Stephen Hague, with vocals from Dave Gahan on one track.