There’s something of a sincerity to the music on Mylo Choy’s latest EP, the second part of a duology that started out amid the South Carolinian humidity and pandemic isolation. Weaving seemingly toy-like melodies and timbres, Choy is able to craft little marvels of songwriting that exude musicality and warmth.
Mylo Choy is a singer and songwriter, currently based in New York City, who unexpectedly embarked on a musical project when he found himself stuck in a South Carolinian bedroom during the pandemic. The isolation and the humidity of the south spurred Choy onto writing the songs on the two EPS, titled SUMMER PROJECTS, parts 1 and 2. From the simplicity of the titles we can gather some insights into Mylo Choy’s artistic approach, insights that are confirmed as we dive into the music.
For starters, the music is simple. There are no jazz voicings or modulations, no modal interchanges or chord inversions, the music is crisply laid out in a neat fashion like a kitchen counter in a warm, suburban family home. In fact the music is exceedingly warm and embracing, as well as the contemplative and sweet lyrical ideas. The songs are like short musical sketches that could accompany various serene occurrences from the most normal days in our lives. ‘Smallest Things’ is a song for taking in a sunrise from a wooden bench in a park, alone slowly gathering the rise in temperature as the sun takes its place on the horizon. It is also a song that sees Choy’s usual synthesizers replaced by a somewhat conventional piano, alongside graceful chord progression, occasional and restrained slide guitar wails, and a confident, reaffirming pace.
‘Nothing To Know’ would fit coming back home from work, undeniably tired, but warmed on the inside to know that there is cold pizza in the fridge, and you love cold pizza. The slight hint of melancholy, courtesy of a somewhat sparse beat and melodic guitar wails, is overcome by a heaving rise of an arpeggiated synth line that washes over the sadness with a flair of reserved ecstasy. ‘Outro: Diorama’ is the EP’s most musically unconventional tune. With its hasty synth arpeggio and fast paced groove, and their juxtaposition onto Choy’s comforting melody and relaxed delivery, it is a dynamic song with a lively, controlled pace.
Mylo Choy’s music and lyrics are effusive with comfort and warmth. Contemplative words about healing, loneliness, and the summer heat, genuinely nice songs with soothing flow and a polished instrumental palette, and a sense of realness all make Mylo Choy’s latest EP well worth the time.