Brighton-based duo TYDL recently released their four-track EP ‘Ethereal,’ hoping to inject listeners with a new found sense of empowerment and ‘villain energy.’

Stream: ‘Ethereal’ – TYDL

Hailing from the South Coast of England, TYDL consists of vocalist Rebecca Valerie and percussionist Jack Dunstall. Together, they have concocted a powerful release with their debut EP, Ethereal, as they reinforce the importance of being our most authentic selves.

TYDL brings together an amalgam of sounds and influences in the EP, ranging from electronic, hip-hop, R&B and gospel genres. Inspired by the likes of Sigrid, Bastille, and Avicii, there is one thing that remains consistent throughout their music, and that is its ability to make you move, as their intoxicating sound reverberates around every inch of your body.

The EP kicks off with “God Complex.” With an underlying theme of bullying, Rebecca calls on personal experiences from when she was a teenager, delivering a raw, honest and sarcastic track. As she creates a god complex in order to protect herself from bullies, she rises against them, owning who she is and refusing to feel belittled by their petty words. The enchanting track features twinkly synths, powerful, soulful vocals and a steady, toe-tapping beat, resulting in the perfect introduction to the EP.

Then there is “Bad Dreams,” a track detailing insomnia and the feeling of being stuck in a rut. Written in the middle of the night during a spout of restlessness, Rebecca had lyrics floating around her mind, as she chanted, “bad dreams don’t seem so bad no more while I’m wide awake glancing at the door.” This kickstarted the entire song, later adding a surge of energy through rumbling instrumentation and determined vocals that ooze attitude.

“Yellow Roses” is an inspiring yet melancholic song about love and loss, as well as finding the strength to move forward despite the crippling pain of saying goodbye. The track was originally written in memory of Rebecca’s aunt who passed away, with the lyrics nodding to her favorite flower. “Yellow Roses” has a catchy chorus, fueled by melodic synthesizers, upbeat drums and lyrics that worm their way into your head.

Bringing the EP to a close is the title-track “Ethereal.” A magical tune narrating a dramatic story of a witch who puts men under a spell as a way to make them obsessed with her. Rebecca explains, “The song is really about how we all have a part of us that can’t be controlled and we need to accept that and use it to our advantage.” “Ethereal” evokes a menacing tone through a marching beat, dark ominous instrumentation and haunting vocal harmonies.

Combined, these four tracks showcase TYDL’s versatility, impressive songwriting ability and polished musicianship, captivating listeners from start to finish. This being their debut EP, we can only imagine where they will go next as we eagerly await their next move.

— —