Photo By Annie Rose
The perfect band does exist: SYCDVK (read sick duhk). SYCDVK accomplish what so many bands set out to. They make music that is as much fun to listen to as it is to play. Pop musicians are often criticized for a lacking musicianship. On the other hand, overly technical musicians are criticized for being a bit masturbatory and not accessible to the average listener. SYCDVK lets everyone enjoy the fun. Their sound pairs rudimentary jazz, rock, and swing rhythms with updated technique and style. This feels like the best version of lounge ballads there could ever be. The five-piece band consists of drummer Chris Geary, bassist Peter Warekois, saxophonist Miles McKee, and guitarists Nick Milano and Tony Milano, all led by vocalist virtuoso Nic Jay.
Whether you’re into music because you like something to tap your toes to, or you’re a bit of an aficionado who listens for every subtle sweep picking hammer on paradiddle in the tune (these do not actually exist…yet!), SYCDVK gives you something to enjoy. “Pearle” begins as an up-tempo swingy tune with loung-ey crooning that would make even Frankie Blue Eyes raise an eyebrow and turn an ear. The chorus continues with a poppy breakdown that’s bridged back to the verse with enough sax to feed all eight of Kenny G’s clones. The whole track feels like musicians with a time machine have visited the past, present, and future to bring the best they could find.
The triumphant “Aubrey Richad” is a bit more psychedelic lounge. The melodic intro has the full range of vocals from soft croon to booming shout backed by spacey guitar. Everyone comes in together for the first of many “Aubrey Richad! Be the queen you know you can be,” and the line is too catchy not to stick with you. Midway through, the song breaks down into a psychedelic exploration of the space. The drums start an offbeat, and the guitars echo ambient whales over a rising wave of cymbals and snare that culminates into the most triumphant “Aubrey Richad!” of the track. The song resolves into a quiet outro that leaves you wanting to hit repeat immediately. If these two tracks are an indicator of what can be found on the rest of SYCDVK’s debut album “Aubrey,” I can’t wait to hear the rest.