Previously known as Naminé (who, by the way, released one of my favorite albums of last year), Darcy Baylis has changed some things up of late, swapping the name left over from a post-hardcore band he used to play in for his own and his signature brand of hazy, downtempo electronica for a more danceable, grooving sound.
The first offering under his own name, "How Can I Live?" is both club-suited and intelligent, in the same vein as contemporaries Oscar Key Sung and Omar S but also drawing influences from contemporary classical masters like Steve Reich. Baylis' brooding, introverted vocals are expertly delivered, smooth and gentle in contrast to the song's otherwise energetic nature.
If this song is anything to go by, this is certainly not the last we'll be hearing of this young Melbourne prodigy. Darcy Baylis' debut EP, How Can I Live/Ecstasy, is out soon through Downtime.