Bailey Wiley - EP Review: Bailey Wiley
The Bailey Wiley EP is a fresh sound my ears needed to hear. To me, it feels totally inspired by the 90's soul and funk music of New Zealand. There was that sound that was big and then just up and left. But with artists like Bailey Wiley, we're bringin' it back.
From the opening track, DWN4U, the mood is set straight away. Vocals come in right away with a smooth jazzy style chord progression. Played over top of a hip hop beat straight out of the late 70's, the feeling here is one of care around the music. And Bailey, I do feel you!
Zaddy slows it down a bit - with a soothing flute to welcome us in, before we get the vibe sound of Rhodes over a slowed down beat. Man, this is what I'm talking about. There is so much to love here. Pay attention to the bass lines, the in and out of the flute to fill in space where needed.
I can hear influences from so many artists here. The 90's RnB, Ladi6 and Mary J Blige just to name a few. The almost feels like I can hear some Portishead at times. It's wonderful. The production showcases a lot of attention to detail which allows for the songs to move through different sections and give each its own thing. This is not just 'copy and paste' in pro tools, this is care and thought out songwriting.
The stand-out track for me is Afford This Love. By taking all the influences I've spoken about before and giving it a modern trap hi-hat feel, it takes this wonderful soulful sound and adds this modern approach to it.
Bailey should be proud of her work on this EP. The vocals are honest, real and delivered with perfection. The harmonies deliver where needed and allow the songs to shine even more than a single vocal could afford.
Overall, this one of the best EP's I have heard in a long time. I hadn't heard of Bailey Wiley before, but now I am taking notice. I want to know where she is playing next, because songs like these need to be heard live. While the recording definitely captures everything perfectly, having the freedom to explore these sorts of songs live is something I am keen to experience in person.
Bravo, Bailey. I love it.
About Bailey Wiley
Her band are raw talent epitomised and bring the Rhodes out front from the outset, complimenting those flawless, whiskied harmonies with easy precision. Tracks like Fire and Cigarettes And Regrets evoke smoky, dimly lit bars and the ghosts of a thousand wasted nights. This is the kind of sweet soul that hurts your heart while its turning you on.
Made in collaboration with polyglot beatmaker and producer Swaren Veygal, IXL features six original cuts from two of New Zealand's most exciting new
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