INTRODUCING: B_U_O_Y

The term ‘electronic artist’ is a vague label these days; it does little to separate the diligent sound artist from the guy recycling song samples to a sea full of early twenty-somethings doing beanies and cheap tabs on the regular.

On the outset, Sydney’s B_U_O_Y seems to qualify for the broader term. I have my own naggings against electronic artists with grammatically challenged titles and symmetrical cover art, but B_U_O_Y’s first track ‘Close/Open’ is one I’ve welcomed with open ears – and at least half of the Soundcloud plays on this track.

B_U_O_Y is Charmian Kingston, who was previously a vocalist for Sydney four-piece Hello Vera. Kingston was to Hello Vera what a sole femme vocalist is to any all male, pop-jazz-hybrid band: necessary. She may have added reasonable levels of twee (including starring in the band’s own Scottish sitcom) but I think her work with B_U_O_Y makes it clear that some ladies do stuff better on their own.

On paper, ‘Close/Open’ sounds like a producer’s picnic – skittered percussion, vivid synth work, with big-expanse vocals somewhere in the mix. However, instead of being tethered to the production of the track – the crux of B_U_O_Y’s sound is owed to the instrument-like quality of her vocals. Since most young electronic producers are prefixed by the need to partion off vocals, then butcher the whole thing in Audacity to vaguely resemble a beat, hearing the clarity in this track is really neat.

Kingston’s vocal meandering obviously echoes her heroes; Bjork, Bjork, BJORK (and all the other female vocalists united by an x chromosome and the word ‘eccentric’). More apparent in my ears anyway, are the similarities between B_U_O_Y and Cameron Mesirow from Glasser. Both might both be drawn to worldly drumming and the heady glow of Eastern vocal influence, but they do share something across their scattered song ambition.

Like Mesirow, it’s Kingston’s disconnect that has most impact here. For what the song pilfers over lyrically, it makes up for with its space-of-sound intent (and killer vocals). You can imagine she’s the type to trail off mid-sentence in conversation, but the one to leave a fine impression at that. Whatever you make of this, it is a nice exercise in sound.

‘Close/Open’ is only B_U_O_Y’s first track. I like her ambition, can’t wait to hear more of this.

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