The last few months must have been fairly interesting for 21 year old Evan Shornstein. The release of his first EP (under the moniker Photay) on Brooklyn-based label Astro Nautico has catapulted him from the relative obscurity of the New York arts scene and into international acclaim. At the end of August, anticipating the release of the self-titled EP, he was named Bandcamp’s Artist of the Week, and was recently featured on Gilles Peterson’s All Winners 2014 show on BBC Radio 6 Music.
And not without reason. Influenced by electronic legends like Aphex Twin and Flying Lotus, as well as West African drumming, Photay melds it all into a highly polished, if endearingly erratic whole. If you’re not too clear on what that might sound like, then have a listen below. In terms of standout moments, ‘Reconstruct (feat. Seafloor)’ may well be my new favourite track. Journeying through glitch, synth-pop to jazz-infused jam in just over 5 minutes, it’s impossible not to fall for.
<a href=“http://astronautico.bandcamp.com/album/photay” data-mce-href=“http://astronautico.bandcamp.com/album/photay”>Photay by Photay</a>
If, after 9 tracks, you’re left wanting more you could always have a listen to Shornstein’s earlier work. It’s by no means as accomplished or as beguiling as the above, but still definitely worth a listen.