“A middle ground between rave-era hedonism and introverted ambient electronica” – Mixmag
“Steadily on the rise to become one of the UK’s strongest new figures in electronic music” – The Line Of Best Fit
“Delicately euphoric” – The Fader
Eclectic Essex-based producer Model Man has collaborated with San Francisco-based artist Lyrah to produce the soothing electro-leaning house anthem ‘Staring In The Dark’, now available via Helix Records.
The track starts with Lyrah’s floaty vocals sailing over upright piano keys played by Model Man, accompanied by warm synth keys and a delicately building 4×4 melody. Ethereal manipulated vocals echo in the background before layered drum lines slowly introduce themselves. As the track builds, upbeat 90s keys compliment Lyrah’s catchy chorus to create a beautiful piece of music that showcases Model Man’s softer approach to his artistry, with lush elements of ambient electronica.
‘Staring In The Dark’ is a perfect representation of Mark Brandon’s musical identity as Model Man – free of the shackles placed on both artists and individuals in society. He prefers to leave his music open to interpretation, rather than confine his music to a specific meaning, which can be truly heard in this new record that captures loss and heartache in its raw form.
Speaking on the inspiration behind the record, Brandon shares, “I recently went to LA for the first time. I played a show and met some great people, went to some mad house parties and became slightly intoxicated by the Lynchian-like atmosphere. With its vintage blue skies, palm trees and beaches, it was a stark contrast to what I’m used to in London (I love London too!). It was just what I needed to be honest. And I wouldn’t have made this track had I not been here.”
He continues to share insight in the collaborative process of ‘Staring In The Dark’, explaining: “I met Lyrah out there and we hit it off and wrote a song together – although it nearly didn’t happen as I got pretty lost trying to find the studio. She was going through some shit and so was I, and it all ended up in the song. Staring In The Dark is about the presence of someone or something after they’ve gone. Like a flicker in the dark.”
With a catalogue of music that spans across ambient, experimental, breakbeat, acid house & bass, Model Man’s influences are diverse and wide-ranging. Raised in a strict Christian family, his artist name originates from the person he was expected to be. Transgressing the rigid boundaries of his upbringing, his music reshapes this archetype, as he establishes a musical persona that results in a perfect collision of two worlds: his early introduction to classicism and piano, and his life-changing discovery of musical movements within his home country of Essex, including his euphoric experiences with rave culture and the liberating power of electronic music.
Alongside developing his sound over the last few years, he has cultivated a loyal fanbase playing in a range of iconic venues, including South London’s Corsica Studios and East London’s Oslo & Colour Factory. Last November, he made his debut in the States with a show at New York’s Elsewhere venue, as well as performing at Mexico’s Corona Capital Festival. Model Man is set to continue his impressive cross-national journey as he plans on expanding his horizons further this year.
Lyrah is an LA-based singer/songwriter making dreamy music that sits in the indie-dance lane. She got her start writing toplines for Axtone Records and, since pursuing a solo path, Lyrah has had major song syncs in HBO shows The Sex Lives of College Girls and Charmed. Collaborators include The Knocks, Reo Cragun, Autograf, and Jerro. Her songs have been listed on Spotify’s “Fresh Finds”, Tidal’s “Pop Somber”, and Apple Music’s playlists “Vibes” and “Nightcap”.
Entering a new phase of his artistry, ‘Staring In The Dark’ is yet another display of Model Man’s ability to embody piercing emotions that highlight the vulnerability of existence.
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