Morly – “If Only Chords”

Morly is an artist who has made some waves over the past year or so for her dramatic, minimalist tracks that have caught the attention of the likes of Ryan Hemsworth (who picked a track from her for his Secret Songs series) and the acclaimed label Cascine, who have since released her debut EP and a stellar one-off single, “The Choir.” The LA-based, Minneapolis-bred producer and multi-instrumentalist has mostly worked in an instrumental mode, but with her upcoming Something More Holy EP (out April 8 on Cascine) her soulful vocals take center stage. The opening track, “If Only Chords,” serves as a good example of her talents.

After a slow-burn intro, Morly’s voice drives the tune, subtly layered over throbbing electronic pulses and ticking, minimalist percussion. The sound is spacious, but, like with other masters of skeletal electronic pop like James Blake, nothing is missing and she has full control over the listener’s attention. If you’re headed to Austin, TX for SXSW this year, you should have ample opportunity to see her live, as she will be performing throughout the week. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/morlymusic.