Eyedress - Shacklewell Arms, London 31/10/14

03 November 2014, 17:42 | Written by The Line of Best Fit

(Live)

(Eyedress)

It’s all Hallows’ Eve and Filipino music producer, Idris Vicuña, brings his bewitching beats to the Shacklewell Arms in East London. Hailing from Manila, 23-year-old Idris (otherwise known as Eyedress) has become widely recognised this past year for his rebellious, synth driven witch-house. From a country where poverty is prevalent, it’s not hard to see where the young Filipino’s somewhat pessimistic sound stems from. Yet although his music may sound darkly ominous, his musical career is looking quite bright.

Idris hops on stage and opens his short but sweet set by unexpectedly surging into a rap song. Having evidently caused a stir, the young producer exclaims humorously, “I can rap, oh shit”. His two rap songs, “Snakes Never Prosper” and “Manila Ice” prove to be a shocking incitement.

Following this hip-hop inducement, Idris finally delivers his distinctive subdued echo-drenched vocals with “A Million Pounds”. It’s at this point I notice the DJ at the back of the stage, queuing tracks on his laptop in his ‘menace to society’ motto jumper, a touch which only adds to the youthful, blithe and unruly, yet all the while endearing presence of Eyedress.

The succeeding track “Tokyo Ghost” - taken from his 2013 EP Supernatural - is unmistakeably one of the many songs inspired by Vicuña’s half American, half Japanese wife, whom he lives apart from. An allegretto bass riff that’s constant throughout, accompanied by celestial synth layers and the yearningly reiterated lyrics of the chorus (“I want to be with you”) paralleling the main rhythm, making everything about this number that little bit more enthralling.

Half way through the show, Vicuña leaps on and off the stage into the crowd in fits of excitability as he delivers “‘My Hologram”. The songs continuously alternate in tone, shifting from delicate etherealness to futuristic and kaleidoscopic. The following “Monogamy” - taken from Eyedress’ latest EP. Egyptian Night Club – has lyrics that cherish the idea of coupledom as the young lover sings, “you’re my only fantasy, was it me or ecstasy, all my dreams they end with you, girl you know I’ll never share you”.

Six songs into the set and Idris subtly asks “you guys recognise this song?”, and the audience are instantly gripped upon hearing the hooking opening to “Nature Trips”, a highly anticipated Kavinsky-esque song that is the absolute pinnacle of Eyedress’ performance.

Vicuña winds up his set with “Do It For Love” and finally a track dedicated to his wife called “Maya Mine”, delivered with an acoustic guitar accompaniment.

Eyedress’ performance was incredibly compelling and I cannot wait for another opportunity to see him in the UK again. Having ventured on his European tour with only a few headline shows (including this one), I feel privileged to have caught him at the early stage of what I feel will be a fine career. His otherworldly music, although full of nihilistic teenage angst, is sweetly glazed by the lyrics of an ardent lover.