Link to our Facebook
Link to our Instagram
Link to our TikTok

Kyson shares the top five minimalist tracks that inspired 'Forest Green'

19 October 2018 | 2:35 pm | Max Lewis

Inspired by the hypnotic minimalism on 'Forest Green', we asked Berlin-based producer Kyson for his top-five tracks with only one instrument and vocal take.

Minimalism in music is an underappreciated art. When an artist can express themselves with just a few musical elements, you know you have something special on your hands. There's no better example than Australian-born, Berlin-based producer/singer-songwriter KYSON (aka Jian Liew), whose latest number 'Forest Green' perfects a minimal sound.

Paired alongside 'Have My Back', 'Forest Green' marks the end of a four-track series which explored Kyson's duality of indie-pop - expressed with previous double-single 'Every High/Clean Air' - and more the mellow electronic sounds found on 'Forest Green.' Since bursting onto the scene by winning a remix competition for Bon Iver's 'Holocene', hypnotic electronic arrangements have been the bread-and-butter of Kyson. To celebrate the end of his exciting series, we thought it apt to ask about his all-time favourite songs with only one layer of instruments and vocals.

Cat Power - Sea of Love

Plug into the latest music with our FREE weekly newsletter

This song is so close to my heart. It is such a beautiful cover and one of my all time favourites, her delivery is just so amazing and heart felt. Cat Power!!!

Arthur Russel : Soon-to-be Innocent Fun.

His cello work will never cease to amaze me, so creative and off one of my favourite records of all time. The way he weaves his vocals in and out of the scattered Cello playing is truly mesmerising. I have so many a memory listening to this song.

Ted Lucas - Plane and Simple Melody

My friend Nick showed me this song a few years ago, I don't know much about this guy but I really just love this song + the beautiful wavering and deep tone in his voice.

Big Thief  - Masterpiece (Solo)

This is technically a acoustic version of the band Big Thief's track "Masterpiece" however perhaps Adrianne Lenker originally wrote the song in this way and that's why. There's something so special and intimate about this performance, I just love. Big Fan.

James Blake - Measurements

A beautiful song, and it helps close out what i think is one of the greatest albums I have ever listened to. A true genius of minimalism at work here, The super soft synth bass just covers and wraps around the amazing vocals.

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

INTRO BY MAX LEWIS

READ MORE TOP FIVES HERE

SEE ALSO

AEORA’S TOP FIVE SONGS FOR CRYING ON THE DANCEFLOOR

DANNY BARWICK’S ‘FLICKERING’ IS A POWERFUL DEBUT OF HIS JAZZ-INFUSED ELECTRONICA

SET MO TEAM UP WITH AJ WRIGHT FOR ‘DOWN THE LINE’