The new Scottish Dark Pop artist Dylan Fraser has released two singles in the past month and change, debuting his sound to the world. The first of the two, “Vipers,” has a sonic resemblance to some of his biggest influences with a crunchy and complex drum beat similar to Radiohead’s “15 Steps” and a drop that brings you back to early Alt-J. He has a low, powerful voice-- almost wailing at times-- that projects melodies like those of Billie Eilish or Phoebe Bridgers, but the subtle Scottish accent provides a unique twist to typical American Dark Pop.
The second, “Face Tattoo,” gives off a slightly more mainstream vibe with a catchy and melodic chorus that somehow still matches the dark lyrical content as he “might just f**k around and get a face tattoo.” Fraser harmonizes a higher melody over his own low voice in the chorus giving it a somewhat brighter feel and higher energy to contrast the verses. The same crunchy drums reappear from “Vipers,” only with a more stripped down and simplistic approach.
“As much a fan of gentle folk as he is maximalist hip-hop, Dylan Fraser possess an innate ability to fuse different sonic worlds together to form something that feels uniquely his, as showcased seamlessly on his first offering, “Vipers.” Written by Dylan himself, the feverish track twists and turns amidst inner turmoil; one that finds the 18-year-old reflecting on a period of uncertainty whilst figuring out his path into music.
Dylan Fraser is a small-town kid with wide-eyed ambition. Born and raised in Bathgate, Scotland, he had his sights set on a career in music from early childhood. First picking-up a guitar at just 12-years-old (a hand-me-down from his mom, who, subsequently, taught him his first four chords) Dylan would reimagine his favourite songs, by his favourite artists, in his bedroom - everyone from Radiohead to Phoebe Bridgers to Kanye West - dreaming of city lights and plotting a path out of his small, satellite town.” (from Atlantic Records Press Release)
Photo Courtesy of Atlantic Records