"One year ago tomorrow IndieBeat introduced you to the wonderful acoustic Lyonn. One year later, Tyler Gelrud has added a new member, producer-musician Attila Yavuzer, to his formerly solo project and expanded his sound and production because of it. In our review of his second release, Promenade, I said that he had developed a “new edgy, yet seductive pop-rock element to his backgrounds, as well as a whole new layer of dynamic energy.” Incredibly with the duo’s new release, the single Empty Bed off the upcoming EP We’ll Light The Sky, Lyonn has taken the romantic songwriting roots, advanced the energetic pop-rock backgrounds, and yet again transformed into a new alternative force with more electric sounds, dance beats, and a new level of indie songwriting.
"IndieBeat is focused on showcasing talent and viewing how that talent develops and progresses, and boy are we proud of where Lyonn is headed. Tyler told us in his Alt Rising Acts interview last year that he was inspired by artists such as Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Passenger, and Paper Route. Well, I’m ecstatic to say that Lyonn has reached the point of artistry where their music is comparable to those legendary groups. The duo’s production, writing, and mix of heartfelt, yearning lyrics and melodies against dynamic, complex, and entrancing backgrounds is impeccable. The best thing about these artists’, including Lyonn’s, music is that they are fitting go-to tracks that you can use to let out your emotions, or just invigorate yourselves with their grooving power."
The songwriting, the energy, the emotion is all there on this EP. It’s quite an incredible feat. Starting the EP off with Empty Bed really works to introduce the listener to this new chapter of Lyonn. It sets up the incredible display of powerful emotions and encapsulating vocals and instrumentals that serve as the foundation for each of the four songs.
The titular track, We’ll Light the Sky draws the listener close with a juxtaposition in song type. Going from an alt-pop love jam of Empty Bed to this indie-lullaby, we really hear how diverse Tyler and Attila’s songwriting capabilities and orchestration are. You see how crafted and thoughtful the creative process is for them. This song is more flowing with lyrical melodies and euphoric atmospherics, calling back to the more intimate and vulnerable Coldplay catalog. It also captures the nuanced production dedication, with layering of unimaginably cohesive sounds and beats. The lyrics “they come to light the way” is a little meta, in the way the duo light ups their new alternative aesthetic with familiar yet unexpected elements.
When the guys gave me an advanced listen to the EP, I told them that Shining Eyes would be their next big hit after the 2014 single Dancing Machine. My reasoning behind it is that the fervent more rock-based track has intense and grooving beats that fit right into the current alternative soundscape. You’d want it on a playlist right next Matt & Kim, Walk The Moon, and Cold War Kids. The chorus is just filled with an urban edge, a pounding-the-pavement attitude, and a summer sun texture. It’s a song fit for a festival. It’s the anthem of the EP and it’s my favorite.
Rounding of the incredible debut of the new Lyonn we have an updated version of an old-Lyonn staple. For followers of IndieBeat, you know that this song was featured in our original introduction to Tyler Gelrud’s music off his debut EP Knivsta. We found out then that Iceberg was inspired by Titanic. The song was great when it first was released, but it improved significantly with Attila’s production expertise. Without knowing it’s based on the film, you really feel the Titanic themes without them being explicitly conveyed. The atmospheric dynamics and the crescendo into the guitar breakdown really elevates the track aurally into the cinematic. You can envision the landscape and the serene surroundings, a concept that has always been fundamental to the Lyonn vision, stemming back to the Swedish town that inspired the then solo release. This song exhibits how Attila and Tyler collaborate so well that their partnership was always meant to be.
Now, Lyonn is finishing up their first music video as a duo, have tour plans in the works, have plans for a potential Fall EP, and have just announced their new station on Pandora. They’re growing at incredible pace, and we’re glad to be partnering up with them this Spring. During the residency we’ll bring you an in-depth interview, a curated playlist, we’ll share with you their music video for Empty Bed, and much more alternative culture from Lyonn. Stay tuned my friends. For now take a listen to Shining Eyes streamed below.