Seattle native Brian Fennell steps away from his role as front man of the band Barcelona to record his solo material under the name SYML. After an EP release in 2016, SYML returns with the new EP In My Body. SYML means simple in Welsh and on this EP Fennell, who was adopted, explores his unknown history and connection to his Welsh roots.
Barcelona's music is often referred to as piano rock, with obvious comparisons to bands such as Coldplay or Death Cab For Cutie. As SYML, Fennell strips any bombast away for a quieter approach. There is a more electronic sound, with piano and beats augmenting his reflective ballads. Opener "Body" sets the tone for the entire EP, a gorgeous introspective song that has Fennell examining himself from the inside. "Where's The Love" is the track that has already brought substantial attention to SYML, garnering over 100 million combined streams online. At the center of In My Body is the new single "Wildfire", another beautiful ballad that showcases Fennell's divine falsetto as strings swirl towards the end.
The second half of the EP contains the only real non-ballad here, "Ghosts", as well as a quite original piano-based take on Neil Young's wonderful "Harvest Moon". Things close with the longest track of the EP, the dramatic "The War". SYML will be on tour for the first few months of 2018 with dates in North America, as well as the UK and Europe. In My Body is the first new release of the year to move me and SYML is an artist worth keeping tabs on. Give this impressive EP a listen.
Favorite tracks: "Body", "Wildfire", "Where's My Love"
In My Body was released January 12th, 2018 on the Nettwerk Records label.
Purchase In My Body on CD from the Official SYML Online Store
Purchase In My Body (download) from Amazon.com
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