Music

Try harder by Kynan

Tom Jenkins | Friday 4 February, 2011 18:32

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Joel ‘Kynan’ Williams’ soulful brand of horn-embellished, bedroom psychedelia has been gaining favourable comparisons to the likes of Beirut. Nothing to be sniffed at of course, but perhaps this is doing the 18-year-old Californian a disservice? The range and scope of his work – from blissed-out, twisted electro through to delicate guitar balladry – is more reminiscent of Prince in his adventurous, mid-80s heyday. The purple one is, as Williams admits, a huge influence: check out his version of ‘Purple Rain’, recorded for the verb/re/verb ‘Youth’ mixtape ( yesterday’s MPFree ).

In between playing with his band D/Wolves, Williams is planning to release an album a month throughout 2011. Download January’s offering – ‘Try harder’ – for free, via his Bandcamp page.

Kynan – Try Harder by snipelondon

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