Listen: Billy Fox - "Mystery" [Premiere]

Listening to “Mystery”, there’s something of the jazz that Billy Fox was immersed in as a child resounding in his songwriting. There’s a lot more to it though, with layered synths, hip-hop beats and smoky electronic RnB inspired by the likes of James Blake and Sam Smith present. In addition, there’s spontaneity and space that shows just how easily the music infused into him as a youngster, all natural like sleep.

That he manages to create a homogeneous sound with all these influences going on is a delightful trait of Fox. As individual parts, the synths swell and fade, playing short melodic phrases with shards of cascading sounds, while handclaps and a tight snare project house meets hip-hop. Fox’s voice - sweet and sensuous - flutters over the top. As a whole, it’s a shivering, saccharine, emotion-packed song; the sort of tune that allows you to drift off and relax. Funny that.

Catch Billy Fox at the Big Pineapple Festival in his home country this Saturday (17 May).

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