The Singularity is the musical project of Julian Shah-Tayler. Born in Leeds, he went to university here in York, and is now based in Los Angeles, USA. Jane recently shared a track from his other project Beauty In Chaos so I figured I give his album Elysium a spin.
By Graeme Smith
Feature Photo by John Travis
Elysium is Julian’s third album released under his own name, and features a laundry list of legends as collaborators. He’s done all right for a local lad, working with the likes of Disney and Lana Del Rey. His music has even been performed in front of President Bill Clinton, Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese.
The album opens with End of the Line. It’s a moody atmospheric track that combines rock and electro elements. There’s a touch of the ’80s about it, but also something distinctly modern. The result is something that feels timeless and its catchy chorus will definitely make a home for itself in your head.
Next we get the Elysium version of Julian’s track The Devil Knows. Julian’s vocals feel particularly soulful during its tale of tortured love. Melt gives us a dark and moody romantic moment before we get Elysium versions of Secret and Evolution. The former is pacey, funky and cynically upbeat while the latter bristles with an intense frustration. Lupine rounds off the first half of the album with sensual touch of the Gothic.
All Good Soldiers starts the second half of the album with some sultry psychedelia. Heads up High is a passionate, vulnerable number that mixes light and dark beautifully. Kintsugi is a vibrant, rocky highlight. Earthquakes is smooth and poetic while Bet Your Life combines delicate acoustic guitar with cinematic electronica. Darkling U closes the album with some cosmic electro.
As well as creating his own music, Julian fronts a David Bowie cover band called The Band Who Fell To Earth, and fans of the Bowie ’80s and ’90s eras will find a lot to love about The Singularity.
Elysium was created with Robert Margouleff, Alain Whyte, Carmine Rojas, Mike Garson, Chris Olivas, Gene Micofsky, MGT and David J (Bauhaus). It was written, produced, mixed and performed by Julian. End of the Line and Secret were co-produced by Robert Margouleff and mixed by Zeus. You can give the album a listen below.