Way Dynamic - Massive Shoe

With my summer plans taking shape, I’m looking forward particularly to being on the road (again) - music always plays a central role in these in-between moments for me, driving in a car or sitting on the train. My go-to albums of the summer have much better odds of sticking around and becoming long-term go-to’s than those I discover in spring, fall or winter.

A real big favorite from last year’s summer trips has recently found its way back to my (almost) daily rotation: Massive Shoe by Way Dynamic. This one charmed me on the first listen, immediately comfortably familiar-sounding, but drawing from enough different inspirations that it’s fresh too (I’ll let you play the “oh hey that sounds like [X]" -game yourself, instead of saying what it reminds me of).

It’s soft and mellow but with an upbeat, energetic vibe; it’s sweet but not saccharine; it’s catchy but also a little odd - an impressive balancing act that makes it a no-skip album for me. More of a solo project than a band: most of the parts were played by multi-instrumentalist Dylan Young at the project’s center (vocals, guitar, bass, keys, drums!).

Traveling all the way from Melbourne, he’s currently touring Europe and doing three shows in the Netherlands next week. The headlining shows in Roodkapje (May 17) and Ekko (May 18) are already sold-out, but there’s still tickets for London Calling on the 16th in Paradiso.

~ Berry

Listen to the album on Spotify or elsewhere