MyKey - “Homesick Remedy”

SXSW 2020 (cancelled) - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 7

Pairs Well With…Mac DeMarco, Declan McKennna, Mobley

Ranging from woozy minimalism to cinematic sweeps, MyKey’s DIY approach to indie R&B/pop gives off a naturally sunny charm, filtering 60s and 70s influences to a modern, low-key sound. The Rockville, Maryland based artist has a firm grasp on classic songwriting and melodies, but twists of hip hop and chillwave rock give MyKey’s music a cooled distance. Equally melancholic and catchy, the vibe on MyKey’s debut full-length, 2017’s Faces, and a string of tight 2019 singles is smooth and cozy, inflected with jazz grooves and a mix of organic and electronic instrumentation. Latest single “Homesick Remedy” has MyKey trying his hand at tender alt-country, authentically weaving a nostalgic tale and walking away with a beautiful, relatable ballad that somehow fits right into his eclectic early catalog. Faces even tries on some bright, stomp-and-holler folk (“Monsters in the Dark” and ambient trip-hop (“Like I Used To”) - while MyKey is playing around the entire musical map, it’s clear he’s able to lean into each genre with a consistently open-heart approach. (Kevin McStravick)