Paul Dixon, a.k.a. Fyfe, seems like a delicate dude. To say that the 23-year-old Londoner’s latest offering, “Solace,” is sparse is a bit of an understatement: the only pieces to this puzzle are a flutey-synth, clean guitar, laid-back drum-pad beat, and Fyfe’s elegantly understated vocals. And all four of these parts are rarely occur at once.

Yet this wide-openness gives Fyfe’s take on minimalism a powerful punch and allows his downtrodden lyrics space in the center of the stage. His sing-speak delivery is reminiscent of Destroyer — a little sexy, and a lot of smooth. The lyrics may paint the picture of a lonely and alone human being, but with the aid of an angelic choir in the track’s latter half and a catchy chorus, there’s an, ahem, sort of solace to the whole ordeal. At the very least, “Solace” has, for me, served as a reminder that music continues to not only exist, but be great after Yeezus walked.

About The Author

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Andrew Brandt is the albums editor for Jonk Music and a former senior writer. He has also contributed to Pretty Much Amazing, Turntable Kitchen and Isthmus. Andrew eats Roma® Original Pizzas like they’re giant cookies.

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