Porcys

Renny Wilson: “By and By”

It’s pretty great when reclusive freak-songwriters have a special predilection for depressive lyricism and bitter self-destructiveness. Whether consciously or not, Sugarglider opens himself up to scrutiny, ditching his previous moniker in favor of the name given to him at birth; we might interpret this as the beginning of a mature stage of artistry, a sign of development, and the rise of self-awareness. That’s probably why Wilson gives us a meta-commentary to “By and By,” the first single from his soon-to-be-released debut album, in the form of a provisional movie plot: Hall & Oates star as the leads, fighting for the affection of Donna Summer (on a cruise!), who’s all the while conspiring with Paul McCartney to sink the whole ship. And while the song still reminds me most of Toro Y Moi’s music, I must admit that the refreshing bass lines and marvelous brass section make his auto-interpretation quite valid. If we try hard enough, we might even find some wistful melancholia beneath the surface, too. You’ll have to look for it yourself though, analyze the video, and imagine the youth of Vangelis – I really don’t have a clue what the future holds for Renny Wilson.

By Karolina Miszczak

(Originally published at Porcys.com in May 2012; translated by Patryk Mrozek with editing by Emily Pudalov)

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Jeremy Glenn: New Life (EP) / Surrender (EP)

2011, Future Classic / We Play House Recordings
By Kamil Babacz

These two different EPs of the young Toronto-based artist, for two different labels, are two completely different stories by two completely different Glenns, or, rather, one Glenn presenting two different facets.

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D’Eon: “Transparency”

The best thing about D’Eon’s “Transparency” is its subtly balanced discourse of the old juxtaposed with the new. The song’s atmospheric, hazy main theme of Phil Collins-esque smooth-funk functions like a canvas stretched over a futuristic, beat-heavy frame. The Canadian producer’s impassioned vocals could work as well with the synths alone, in creating what would certainly be a wistful and pensive mixture. Instead, they’re propelled into an even more pronounced greatness by an array of both eighties-mimicking and contemporarily cut-up, Afro-centric percussion work. The whole thing reaches a rather unexpected but altogether dazzling climax in a gradually accelerating cavalcade of acute machine-gun beats. With lines such as the opening sequence’s “I just wanna see your face / doing this was a big mistake,” “Transparency” feels desperate in a motivated, high-energy way; emotionally struggling but pushing forward nevertheless.

By Patryk Mrozek

Listen to the song