The Quanta Series feels more like a summation of Káryyn's powers than an introduction to them, but regardless, it's a stunning debut.
With THE QUANTA SERIES, Káryyn has released a collection of songs that come off gorgeous. But that's not what K Á R Y Y N was shooting for, as she crafted something challenging, mysterious and memorable. Gorgeous was simply a by-product.
The Quanta Series is an exceptional debut from an artist who exhibits true devotion to her craft. There is not a single moment on the LP that sounds forced, half-baked or compromised. Káryyn’s unique sense of authenticity shines through each of her tracks.
Káryyn makes avant-garde electronic music with a deeply affecting soul. On her debut album, the Syrian-Armenian American artist channels her family history and personal experiences in a stunningly transcendent exploration of time, love, and human consciousness.
She sings from a place rooted in the past, but always seems to be accelerating into the future.
There are a lot of sonic concepts well established through artists such as FKA Twigs, Julia Holter, Josin & Bjork that trace the lining of this albums sonic landscape, but KARYYN has definitely brought them together in a experimental clashing of moods and purpose.
"The Quanta Series" starts off in some kind of dream state, where electronics shiver and spin out of control, while vocals a little more steady but lighter and repetitive in a hypnosis state, from "It- ... read more
Solid
Sonically, this has turned out to be the most bewitched, spellbinding and enthralling project of the year thus far. HOWEVER... I don't think it used its exploratory sounds to its best ability, it could of been a lot more exciting in some places. Plenty of cold hymns, chilling howls, glitchy ringings, instrumentals that are alien. She rarely leaves that style throughout.
Just give this thing a damn listen already.
Best: EVER, BINARY, CYTOKINESIS, ALEPPO
Weakest: UN-C2-SEE
KARYYN has managed to piece together an absolute monolith of an album, filled with ethereal soundscapes and vocals. Her style reminds me a lot of Half Waif, with more layered production and not quite as strong of a voice, also similar stylistically to much of Björk’s work with epic sonic transitions and cool, creative atmospheres. Unfortunately, where the like of Björk and Half Waif succeeded much more than KARYYN was that they were able to keep their music interesting over the ... read more
Whilst there are some moments of mediocrity on this record, it is for the most part, a masterpiece in ambient pop. Amazing production, complete with glitchy synths, vocal chops and amazing, angelic vocal leads. If it wasn't for the mid-album slump, my rating would be much, much higher
Edit: I keep coming back to this because it sounds fascinating (still mostly the first half), can't wait to hear new stuff from her!
This sounds really beautiful and hypnotizing but also really dark and somehow disturbing (the extremely low pitched vocals in CYTOKINESIS creep the shit out of me lol). Musically speaking it's started really strong but unfortunately has quickly dropped in quality in the 2nd half, with some really boring and monotony tracks. Production and mixing also could be ... read more