Syd - Fin

Syd
Fin
2017
Spotify

If you know The Internet (the band, not the world wide web) you know that lead singer Syd's style is essentail to their laid back style of hip hop and R&B. They buck trends, Syd being openly gay, and evolve a style that is both soulful and avante garde. However this review is not about The Internet, it is about Syd, though separating the two may prove to be quite difficult. For an artist going solo usually means distancing yourself from the band and trying something new. However for Syd Fin hangs tight to the sound that The Internet have developed over the years. This record becomes more of a pure side project for Syd, though a quite beautiful one at that. Most of these tracks could be on an Internet record, but Syd uses this time to grow her writing going deeper and deeper. "Know" is so incredibly modern in it's production, yet it has a classic delivery that is infectious. Hooks don't seem to be essential to Syd, she instead uses her lyrics to tell a story or paint a vivid picture. She also plays with the usually song structure extending some tracks to over four minutes while others barely crack a minute run time. When you listen it feels like someone being fully creative and unafraid of consequences. That is how The Internet have always done their music and it is clear that the driving force behind that sentiment was Syd.

Fin however is not just about artistry, songs like "Nothin to Somethin" have such a nice bounce and evokes that smokey room where R&B got it's start. "All About Me" verges on a trap beat, but Syd pulls it towards something totally new and completely exciting. What is really great is when you see Syd go from the cutting rapper that she can be into the sweet sensual being that also lives within Her. This album spans the different emotions that go into making a human being. Syd gives one of her best vocal performances on "Got Her Own" using doubling and other production elements to let her voice dance all over the pretty stripped down track. "Body"might be the most overtly sexual song on the record, yet it takes on a new context knowing it is meant to be from one woman to another. Syd never makes a point to throw her secuality in your face, instead she allows it to unfold and become more dynamic with each new line she sings. Even still the music seems to be much to complex to just be "baby-making music", there is far to much going on and little elements to explore to just allow this record to be background. If anything on Fin Syd has proved to be much more than just a member of The Internet, she has proven to be THE member. Do not miss this record.

8.8 out of 10