Dylan Sinclair: Proverb
By Christianah Jesudass-Roberts (@mstiaroberts)
Release date: SEP 25, 2020
I stay grateful for Spotify and the magic of algorithms curating playlists to meet my particular taste. Every so often, through one of these playlists, I come across an artist that literally incites a burning desire to call up any one of my musically inclined friends to discuss my eccentric excitement that is born from the quality of sound that I have just embarked on.
One artist that created this exact response was Canadian singer, Dylan Sinclair. Coming across his single Girl left me so elated that, straight away, I felt drawn to share this immensely nu-soulful sound with a close friend to bond over the beautiful artistry of his sound, especially as we progress across a season where we are all starting to mellow out (alongside the weather).
Dylan’s vocals across his latest project Proverb, released last week, remains silky and deep simultaneously, displaying light moments taking us on a journey with him. The album is full of emotionally evoked moments. It acts as a musical pathway to Dylan’s journey through love, relationships and family emulsified with themes of faith, belief and drive sprinkled throughout the project. It is a whole project indicative of his emotive growth and the depth of relationships explored with new perspectives. Oddly consoling, his vocals take you on a soothing road trip which facilitates a form of musical escapism for listeners.
The caressing sound of this project allows audiences to be seduced in earthy, neo-soul tones, which encapsulates the traditional idyllic beauty of late 00’s slow jams. With deep bassy solos complementing his youthful, velvety sound, texture is added to the tracks catapulting the listeners into what feels like an immersive musical experience. I have a particular fondness to R’n’B that creates the perfect environment to zone out to, facilitating a form of romantic escapism, with a somewhat nostalgic effect, and the 18 year old Toronto artist manages to cultivate this with perfection.
“The caressing sound of this project allows audiences to be seduced in earthy, neo-soul tones, which encapsulates the traditional idyllic beauty of late 00’s slow jams”
One of the things that hit me when I came across Girl was the nu-neo-soul passion you can hear so articulately through the track. The musical love letter is powerful enough to distract listeners into the depths of Sinclair’s velvety vocals. This tune works to be an epitome of smoothness. Thick but clear, his sound is romantic in it’s very nature, it’s a sound that beckons listeners in, complimented by lyrics that bathe you in honest sincerity. Dylan finds a perfect balance of confidence and vulnerability through expression. It is mature and youthful at the same time, in a way that listeners can feel the anxiousness that comes from being vulnerable to the object of you affection, but showcases the confidence and strength in being able to portray that vulnerability very openly and honestly. As winter springs upon us and ‘Bae’ season approaches, this is the perfect album to find on repeat. Proverbs is out now on all streaming platforms.