EP Review: Phoebe Ryan – Mine
2 min read
After captivating audiences at the beginning of this year with her ingenious fusion of R.Kelly’s Ignition (Remix) and Miguel’s Do You, transforming the overt R&B originals into a dreamy pop gem, Los Angeles-based songstress Phoebe Ryan has released her debut EP Mine. Taking clever advantage of the mainstream and indie hype surrounding Ignition/Do You, Ryan delivers a small collection of wispy, ethereal pop that glides effortlessly under her trademark breathy vocal delivery.
Opening the five-track EP is impossibly catchy lead single Mine, whose incessant hooks, delicately delivered by Ryan, marry with understated, crisp production to create the perfect alt-pop anthem. From the outset it isn’t hard to see how artists like folk-pop duo Oh Honey and pop artist Bea Miller sought after the songwriter’s contributions, to benefit from her intelligent pop sensibility. Maintaining this appealing relationship between Ryan’s gentle timbre and her shimmering electro-pop composition is previously released track Dead. Dead immerses itself in the same sleek pop veneer, humanised by Ryan’s heartfelt delivery, offering a mellower take on the genre.
Opening with sparse percussive accompaniment, which highlights Ryan’s ghostly voice even more, Brand new track Homie creates a different mood as layers upon layers are built up into a deluge of powerful pop. Also included on the EP is the track that started it all, Ignition/Do You, as well as Michael Keenan’s remix of Mine. Featuring a cameo from past collaborator rapper Skizzy Mars, the remix of the title track plays interestingly with rhythm and tempo, providing a grittier accompaniment to Ryan’s stratospheric vocals.
Phoebe Ryan’s debut sees her join the ranks of several female pop artists that work in the same arena, including Tove Lo, Lights and Ellie Goulding. While this brand of entrancing, lush pop is so popular right now, it’s Ryan’s immaculate songwriting and “innate pop nous” (as described by Noisey) that will help her launch a conspicuous solo career. Combining blissful melodies with understated but interesting textural production and that lithe voice, Ryan’s impressive debut could see her grow into one of the most exciting pop additions to the moment.
