KYXORA – Sci-Fi Wonders (Single Review)

Hong Kong-born and UK-trained indie artist and producer KYXORA has an EDM track from 2021,‘Sci-Fi Wonders’.

The song’s buildup – subdued, pingy progression – is enticing, but its brevity leaves the listener wanting more.

Having started with the so-said pings – likely a muted piano, the song shifts into second gear with a brief, liquid scratch, followed by a soundscape of glitchy synths and an understated kick that feels like a triplet-inflected swing.

A few bars in, the kick drum swells in volume. But rather than settling for this shuffle groove, KYXORA manipulates pattern: she cuts the kick, lets it breathe, and then holds it again to create a distinctive, skippy cadence.

While the kick shuffle leans into EDM territory, its restraint suggests a sophisticated hybrid of club energy and what appears to be Intelligent Dance Music.

If the pings in the buildup were brief, my earlier worry is quickly eased: in the absence of kick drums, we’re treated to extended passages of ping-like sounds. KYXORA handles the kick with the same precision as she does the pings. Just when it seems the track is limited to kicks and pings, she slips in other textures – a buzzing string here, a horn-ish tone there – adding subtle surprises throughout.

Overall, the track has a dense, textured sound from the kicks, while the pings add a lightly piercing, sweet-ish edge.

SCORE/Good: This track presents KYXORA as a musician with a creative yet steady hand. Crafting a compelling instrumental is no easy feat, and this pleasing song is a decent project.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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