London’s Kieron Garrett, aka Synthonic, recently dropped a new EP, Sunshine. Synthonic’s music embraces a wide array of genres, ranging from downtempo funk to electro, jazz, and classical music.
According to Garrett, “My USP would be the fact that I write, record, and produce everything by myself. I have also designed my own website, edited my own videos, etc. Because after playing jazz in London for 10-years, often to small audiences and for very little money, it was time for a change! With this project, I don’t have to rely on anyone else.”
Sunshine comprises five tracks, starting off with the title track, which opens with emerging psychedelic funked-out synths on a jazz-funk groove. The filtered vocals take on a quasi-rapping lilt with melodic timbres. I love the fusion of jazz and funk colors traveling on a tight beat.
“Groove Report” assumes a smoother, downtempo funky jazz feel. The syncopated percussion is light yet buff, while spiraling synth colors swirl overhead. Brightly hued electronic textures give the tune beau coup pizzazz. “Come On, Get Up” is pure electro-funk-jazz. The groove is potent, underscoring the compact coruscating tints of the synths.
“Take It From Me” opens with a cool shuffle from the drums, followed by downtempo synths exuding streaming textures. Distorted, filtered vocals imbue the tune with a mechanical sensibility, especially when leading into the guitar solo. When the background vocal harmonies add “the only one I see,” the dilution of the filtered effect works better.
“Head Banging” opens with a dense groove, providing a squiggling ambience. As the tune settles in, the synths shimmer, pulse, and bubble with energy. A high-pitched droning synth takes the lead, infusing the tune with an effervescent quality. The electro-funk harmonics achieve layers of sonic patterns, at times seemingly random and contradictory, but in the end coalescing into nuanced projections.
If you’re into jazzy, electro-funk, with a bit of a futuristic ambience, then Sunshine is probably just your cup of tea.
