SI-KEY, a product of the artistic community in Telford, England, presents himself not only as a composer but as a master storyteller whose works reflect the profundity and universality of life through his own unique perspective. His creativity is a reminder that the most powerful pieces of music are sometimes those that do not adhere to the highest standards of production, as long as there is an abundance of heart involved. Inspired by a rich heritage of music from artists such as the experimental group Radiohead, the timeless harmonies of The Beatles, the orchestral grandeur of ELO, and the gritty sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival, he has crafted his music in such a way that it retains a sense of authenticity while simultaneously establishing itself as a distinct genre in its own right. His three-track EP, “The Colours,” which was released on January 9th, captures this philosophy of focusing on the essence rather than the technical aspects of music-making, allowing listeners to see a story of redemption unfold.
The ride starts off with “Colourss,” a song that surprises its listeners immediately from the very beginning of the piece. Rather than beginning with the usual synth or drum intro, the song starts off with an acoustic guitar sound coupled with the soft piano music coming from some other part of the house. The old, vintage mood gets quickly interrupted by the rhythmical sounds of a guitar. In traversing the collective experience of the elements, including both the bite of the winter cold and the warmth of the sun, the author reminds us that no matter how vulnerable we are, we are inextricably tied. The question the author raises is poignant and thought-provoking: What colors do we miss by only viewing the world in black and white? Herein lies a short story told in a song format. This piece of art has an ability to take the rough edges associated with negative experiences and turn them into something beautiful and magnificent. In the end, it is a reminder for us all to cultivate more compassion and love within our hearts. Musically speaking, there is a breathiness and a staggered approach to the vocals, which is highlighted by the choice of instrumentation. Using this method which is acoustic, the performance feels intimate almost as if we were right in front of the artist while he performed
The move from the introduction into the main body of the song, “From My Window,” is a shift from the active participant into an observer whose gaze is tinged with isolation. In the opening lines of the piece, a gentle vocal performance the sound of an acoustic guitar being strummed. While not merely background noise, this sound establishes a cinematic setting for the main idea of the song, which is based on the concept of the “observer’s paradox”, that of feeling united with the outside world through vision alone but alienated by either physical or emotional distance. In this song, the music has been stripped down to bare essentials, making SI-KEY’s vocal prowess come out; she effortlessly switches from her deep voice to the chilling falsetto for the bridge section. Without the use of strong percussion beats, the chime-like sounds produced by the guitar strumming can be heard and create an impression of sitting next to that very window however, the electric guitar solo towards the end of the song was the pièce de résistance
“Like Me”is the final song on the EP, characterized by yet another acoustic guitar melody. “Like Me”is about struggling with one’s identity and feeling alone and isolated. There are times in life where we feel so alone and lonely even when we are a sea of people or surrounded by people. In these times, we wish, long and yearn for someone who is like us, maybe share the same interests or like the same things. Fortunately, the world we live in right now has some sort of community for like minded individuals, no matter how small and insignificant it is. Your people are out there, you just need to find them or put yourself out there and let them find you. There is a lot of boldness and repetition in terms of the vocal performance, which is characterized by a rhythmic style. As far as the instrumentation is concerned, there is a bold and clear vocal performance, easy lyrics to follow and simple but effective instrumentation and this song closes out the EP
“THE COLOURS” EP is more than just a musical collection, as it is the sound of an oasis crafted from the agony of personal loss. These songs are the products of a period of deep loss for SI-KEY, a time when he was in the midst of a life turned almost upside down, and yet these compositions are not lost in sorrow. Rather, “THE COLOURS” EP serves as a combination of confession and guidance map as to how one navigates from the peace desired to the pain endured. The EP is a story of surviving the loss, an indication that even in moments when we stumble, the search for meaning is our greatest strength. By diving into the darkness of his own heartbreak, SI-KEY has produced a sound that is indicative of a universal longing for significance. Indeed, the vulnerability of this project is astounding; it is as though the songs have been made into an open channel through which the artist opens himself up to us. With the honesty with which he shares his stories of pain, he has made them universal, and has made us able to recognize ourselves in his struggles. The artist has managed to create a connection beyond mere entertainment; this is an experience that goes far beyond the songs themselves, creating an interaction between the creator and the audience. The anticipation we feel for what comes next speaks to the fact that the artist has definitely found his voice, one that is powerful and strong.
Stream the “The Colours” EP on SoundCloud
