Berwyn - DEMOTAPE/VEGA
By Christianah Jesudass-Roberts (@mstiaroberts)
Music has this way of transporting me to very particular environments instantaneously, very specific environments as well, like from moments in my memories that would perfectly suit the tune, so precisely that it picks itself as a backing track for that space in my mind. You know the feeling I mean! Headphones in as you do whatever mediocre errand and suddenly you are in your own music video, pouring out your heartfelt emotion to the most mundane task like you are Kate Nash herself (throwback right?!)
Anyway, as I sat in my Uber on the way to my mate’s house, I scrolled across an artist that tickled my fancy in this exact manner. Berwyn is his name and transporting us to the most passionate of places, instantly, seems to be his game. His heartfelt yet husky tones, cropped up (we thank God for sponsored posts, seems like it works!) as I mindlessly scrolled through Instagram, and 30 mins later I did not regret a thing!
Berwyn’s new project DEMOTAPE/VEGA is truly beautiful. Rough yet poetic, his mellow and wispy tones collide with his passion, which bellows through for the listeners attention, sort of like a call to action… or understanding in this case. In all of this there is a textured smoothness in his acoustic sound. He showcases real duality throughout the project, creating a defensive distance between you and his inner thoughts and feelings, but then drawing you all the more closer in with the comfortability and openness by hailing his honesty in his lyricism.
“He showcases real duality throughout the project, creating a defensive distance between you and his inner thoughts and feelings, but then drawing you all the more closer in with the comfortability and openness by hailing his honesty in his lyricism. ”
This is Berwyn’s debut tape and what a tape it is! Written and produced during an intensive period a while back, it oozes realism. His passion infuses the tracks with a growing ferocity in which his emotions radiate through his music, from mellow to yearnful to echoey and brave, Berwyn has an effortlessly alternative sound, his melodic whaling is beautifully entrancing. It is truly representational of a time fuelled by drive and emotion and listeners can hear it so vividly in his artistry. The expression of his thoughts most certainly vibrate through every note into you.
Track eight, Crushed Velvet, has to be my favourite on Berwyn’s project. He has this melodic, alternative sound, rhythmic in his lyricism, each breath he takes throughout his flow adds more passion and energy to his sound and expression. With sombre, melodic cries for understanding, you quite easily end up submerged in the variety of creative sound he indulges in. A drifting sound, his descriptive flow takes listeners on a journey of visuals, emphasised by the passionate sound of the backing vocals that texturise the scenery we paint in our minds. If ever you wanted music to take you away, Berwyn excels at this very task, perfect for this time of year. DEMOTAPE/VEGA is out now on all major streaming platforms.