Massive Shoe [CD]

Way Dynamic, the solo project of Melbourne’s Dylan Young, releases internationally for the first time, Massive Shoe – a third album that’s playful and understated, luminous and textured. Massive Shoe is minimalist folk-pop, art rock and baroque pop, produced and largely played by Young, who moonlights in Melbourne’s beloved Cool Sounds and Good Morning and has played drums with Snowy Band and Kankawa Nagarra.

It’s tempting to only compare these songs to those of yesteryear – Young’s falsetto, his ear for harmonies and the intricate arrangements all feel timeless. But there’s a sensibility, a turn of phrase, that feels deeply contemporary: it’s telling that Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield described “Miffed It” as her “favourite song in a VERY long time”, and Katie, MJ Lenderman, This is Lorelei and Black Country New Road have all taken Way Dynamic on tour, while Sir Elton John said that he “just cannot stop listening” to “Ibiza”. Young’s songs don’t shy away from sentiment, or equally from silliness: on any given song he might suggest a flight to space or earnestly lament a miscommunication. “Can we walk and talk as well?” he asks on “I Was the Dancer”, and we rush to accept the invitation.