Dorian White – May – EP
Brisbane-bred Dorian White released the electronic lo-fi house EP May on August 4th, 2021. Remarkably, many of the original songs were unrecognisable outside their memorable lyric phrases. While the Bandcamp description gives sampling credit to multiple pop artists, ranging from Charli XCX to Angel Olsen, it would be impossible to tell without the precursor.
Most impressive is the great sense of progression throughout the two lengthy suites. Furthermore, the beats come in a large array, ranging from wavy to gritty. Much of the sample use comes off blandly vapourwave-esque, though they’re a means to an end – much of the substance comes within the sound design and composition. Moreover, the beats continuously evolve, making the listener continuously guess what’s next. The artist could have easily copy-pasted a beat throughout the pieces, though there are many ideas amalgamated into concise, enjoyable sections, with thoughtful flow connecting the verses.
To its benefit, May – EP has everything it needs to stand out from similar acts, bar the polish. The album cultivates a unique personality, especially in the beats department, but it lacks proficient mixing and mastering. The lo-fi aesthetic is solid, but the amateurish lo-fi execution is obnoxious. Aside from the poor production, everything else is in the “good” category and beyond. With time and effort, Dorian White could certainly blow the competition out of the water – here’s hoping he puts that time in.
Above Average
Listen to it here:
Dorian White – May – EP
