Youandewan
Biog
Youandewan is Ewan Smith, a DJ and producer who has quietly but consistently gone about forging his own tender brand of deep house. He has been doing so since 2009 and most recently settled on this label with tracks that are shy but seductive, and full of both motive and emotive forces. This album stays true to that narrative, but sees Ewan finding his feet with his most accomplished and elegant work to date.
Much of the music was sketched out during a wintery Berlin three years ago. Having left London, hungover from a breakup, Smith found himself broke and secluded in an apartment for four months. All this lent the music he wrote a melancholic vibe; one that nods to the lonely nature of the job and to the darker side of constant partying and all that comes with it.
A swelling, expansive piece of melodic atmospherics starts things off, then the soft hues of analog chords bring a neon glow to the weightless whirl of ‘Be Good To Me, Poly.’ Soaring synths marry with a raw drum and bass combo on “Waiting for L,’ then ’Time To Leave (Can’t Mix)’ resets to a piano laced beatdown vibe that is wilfully wallowing. ‘10405 (Alice)’ is a shimmering, crescendoing piece, and from there the second half of the album begins to take an upward and optimistic swing through the floating, graceful harmonies of ’Our Odyssey.’
‘Something Keeps Me Real Quiet’ is a concession to the ‘floor with its rusted electro slither, ‘Left On Lucy’ calls upon friend Huerta for a hi-tech soulful house Derrick May would be proud of, and 'Earnest Kelly' nods to the ‘80s with its stomping retrosynthesis. Finally, ‘4D Anxiety’ allows all the pent up emotion and energy to dissipate via a playful hip-hop jam effortlessly tapped out on an MPC.
‘There Is No Right Time’ is a listening album that proves deep house done well needn’t be reserved for the club. It's a vulnerable and musical work that stays with the listener long after the final chords have dissipated.