EP Review: Dylan Cartlidge – 'Yellow Brock Road'
Dylan Cartlidge showcases his genre-bending approach to music on new EP ‘Yellow Brick Road’.
Despite spanning only 3 tracks, ‘Yellow Brick Road’ is extremely well rounded, each track highlighting a different aspect of Dylan’s timeless sound. Where title track ‘Yellow Brick Road’ talks about “how fear and self-sabotage can dump the weight of the world on your shoulders in your most hard-earned moments” to a backdrop of big beats and urgent vocals, ‘Cheerleader’ takes a more hopeful turn. Groove-infused basslines turn into an anthemic chorus as Dylan draws on the importance of being authentic: “Ultimately, it’s about not conforming to stereotypes and being your own Cheerleader, one that’s always rooting for your own unique flavour & individuality.” Closing the EP with good vibes only, ‘Summertime’ sees Dylan’s flawless lyricism reach new heights as he reflects on the ups and downs of the human experience - “I just checked my bank account, best if we get rich today. Maybe you and I just define value in a different way.”
The EP is brimming with confidence. Born out of a “hope above adversity” mindset, Dylan Cartlidge has found a way to combine infectious rhythms with political awareness and create a unique blend of genres. He explains: “I don’t want to sound preachy or like I'm trying to fix all the world's problems. If people want to listen to my music and just groove, they can, but if people relate to it that’s great.”
Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven