It’s been something of an auspicious introduction to
Billy Fox, the Sydney-based musician, producer, writer and experimental
purveyor of thought-provoking electronic. Launched late-2013 with the soulful
‘Monuments’, the new project was born simply out of perfect timing – one
project ended, another naturally needed to begin. Writing began and the simple
mantra of “If it feels good, then do it” quickly became the mission statement.
Simplicity, according to Fox, is the key to his solo music-making, but when the
layers are pulled back by the listener, musicianship, lyrical content and
production-savvy recording are quickly revealed one by one. On the surface, the
production values will immediately draw parallels to the likes of James Blake
and recent work by James Vincent McMorrow for the listener, but dig deeper and
a true songwriter will be revealed, someone who can skilfully create beautiful
soundscapes, while delivering actual songs.
Fox grew up having
jazz poured into his ears while he slept at night, and later explored a passion
for the great writers – Lennon/McCartney and beyond. This education has seen
him come closer to what his aesthetic exists as, but more importantly, what it
will become as he grows.
Prolific in nature,
Billy Fox’s first release will be an ambitious mini-album, featuring not only
the steady and infectious yet soulfully-paced first single ‘Monuments’, but
also the ultra-slick follow-up ‘Mystery’. Across all seven tracks, Fox takes
all his influences and politely hands them to the listener as one
beautifully-cohesive affair, delving deep into themes of love and life without
neglecting the occasional reference to Greek mythology here and there. His love
for hip hop shows its face, as does his more folk leanings, but the result is
unique and versatile and something that can captivate anyone.
