What started out as an idea, the brainchild of Ryan Olson has evolved into a massive musical project made up of 25 contributing musicians and rappers from bands including Solid Gold, Megafaun, and Bon Iver. The result: a mega cluster band whose collective sound, accurately described as “bedroom” music, conveys a sexiness that flirts with sarcasm. On top of their deeply melodic keyboards and synthesizers are haunting, auto-tuned vocals from a dozen musicians. Justin Vernon’s (Bon Iver) signature falsetto, airy voice is of course represented in Gayngs’ music, but the artist dips into an R&B style, and rapper P.O.S. successfully transitions his style with a more soulful approach. The group’s experimentation outside of their usual approaches, combined with each individual’s personal sound, makes this super group impossible to categorize. Gayngs debut album, Relayted, is a hypnotizing and cohesive blend of styles that has laid down stakes in unexplored musical territory.
