Tag Archives: Kynsy

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Kynsy ‘Mr Nice Guy’

 Photo Credit: George Voronov

Kynsy has released her new single ‘Mr Nice Guy’. Kynsy is the solo project of 23 year-old Irish multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Ciara Lindsey. The song is co-produced by Kynsy and James Dring (Gorillaz / Jamie T / Sorry).”Mr Nice Guy” is the first new single from Kynsy since the release of her critically acclaimed debut EP, Things That Don’t Exist released in January of this year.  

Surging with tightly weaved instrumentation ‘Mr Nice Guy’ is an irresistible indie-pop tune that boasts the ever-evolving sound of Kynsy. Within ‘Mr. Nice Guy’ we see Kynsy smother a groovy indie foundation with lashings of synths and pop- esque melodies to create a tantalizing tune brimming with sass and vigour.

Skillfully produced the song’s sonic wall of sound expands with zesty stings on guitar and sweet key refrains while drum grooves and pulsing bass lines flutter throughout. The upbeat nature of the instrumentation contrasts Kynsy’s nonchalant vocals as the artist croons out some pretty hard-hitting lyrics “Hey there Mr. nice guy, f*cking with your stuck fly. Have you got no class at all”.

Kynsy is an immensely talented musician who is creating an impeccable track record of invigorating tunes for listeners to enjoy. The artist possesses an unnatural and enviable gift for creating catchy earworm melodies filled with sharp witty lyrics and jubilant instrumentation; the result is a sublime display of musicianship that leaves much to be admired. ‘Mr Nice Guy’’ is a spectacular example of this.

Talking about the new song and video, Kynsy says: “It’s a song about money and working and having one of those horrible bosses who tells you he’s trying to be ‘the nice guy’ while he goes through you outside on the street. It’s mostly based on an encounter I had in a waitressing job. I suppose there is a message in there about the power of empathy and kindness in how you deal with people. The video echoes a lot of the themes in the song just pushed to an extreme level. Working with Dave and Conor we created a surreal world that’s really colourful but eerie at the same time. The master [me!] is on a constant power trip and forces her minions to endure some pretty awful treatment for her own gratification. To honour the positive message in the song we get to see how treating people like this will come back to bite you one way or another. “

Kynsy has also announced a series of tour dates taking place this December with shows at Upstairs Whelan’s, Dublin on 9th December, Kasbah Social Club, Limerick on 10th December and Connolly’s of Leap, Cork on 11th December.

She will perform her debut international live shows this November, with dates at the inaugural Pitchfork Music Festival London at The Roundhouse on Sunday 14th November and Pitchfork Festival Paris on 19th November. 

Watch the video for ‘Mr Nice Guy’ below 


Author: Danu

EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Kynsy ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ EP

Photo Credit : Paula Trojner

Kynsy has released her debut EP ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ alongside a video for her latest single, “Elephant In The Room”. Kynsy is the solo project of rising 23-year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Ciara Lindsey. Written and co-produced by the artist, the tracks were mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol / Sorry / Parquet Courts) and Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys / MIA / Bombay Bicycle Club). Having previously performed on the Other Voices Music Trail and at Ireland Music Week, the Dublin artist kicked off this year with a whole host of 2020 Hot List features. 

‘Things That Don’t Exist’ is a confident and expertly crafted collection of tracks. Kynsy laces the EP in guitar-based thrills, electronic embellishments and agile lyrics which evoke emotion within the listener. This first-rate EP is overflowing with superb elements and details from exquisite guitar refrains and splintery bass manoeuvres to poignant narrations and soothing vocals.

An organ -esque intro leads us into EP opener ‘Elephant in the Room’ a darkly glamorous and brooding number smothered in razor-sharp guitar work and building rhythms. Kynsy balances raw indie rock with dazed electronics to create a sweet sting within the track. As swirling flutters on synths wisp about a pulsing beat and subtle elements of distortion the song simmers before the chorus explosion hits. Kynsy’s vocals coo and drag through the nostalgic woozy number with sweet tones ( which at times becomes aggressive ) offsetting the pop melody.

Kynsy is a master of melodies warping them into the moods and atmospheres she creates. Providing dramatic soundscapes, the EP elegantly shifts between the ethereal backdrop of ‘Elephant in the Room’ to the fizzy indie rock bravado of ‘Happiness Isn’t a Fixed State’.Blending cinematic soundscapes throughout, the song has a Tarantino residue while the smooth yearning melody cools the blazing instrumental backdrop. However, ‘Dog Videos’ is where Kynsy slaps us in the face with a sound unlike its predecessors. Brighter and with a sun-kissed radiance, this foot-tapping track is a refreshing gem. With triumphant horn elements, slinky bass lines and a breezy melody the track injects a dash of cheer into the EP. This liveliness is undercut by the sharp lyrics which describes the doom of time wasted and living within the Youtube/social media world. 

Throughout ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ Kynsy excels at constructing settings and engulfing them in a dramatic, catchy melody. While exploring themes of struggling through modern life, the songs maintain an upbeat and engaging tone and exude an air of finesse and rawness that showcases the deft songwriting and musical ability of Kynsy. There is no lag within the EP just smasher after smasher until ‘Cold Blue Light’ ignites the EP in a fiery finale. A siren on guitar announces the track while the slap on drums drags through the swaggered soundscapes. The sultry, dark atmosphere unfolds into a blazing indie rock track as Kynsy coos over a smooth melody. Kynsy’s delivery is cool and nonchalant, allowing the rich instrumental backdrop build and slither into psychedelic territory toward the thrilling crescendo – a triumphant close to the EP. 

Within ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ there are elements of The Strokes with flavours of The Kills and St. Vincent peppered on top, but they are subtle. It is more like Kynsy is tipping a musical hat to their sound, then swiftly moving on to do things the Kynsy way – personally I’m glad the artist does not linger in any style for very long and because of this the EP is heavily brushed in the musicians raw creative thought process. It is a rare glimpse into a talented creative mind. Kynsy’s sound is brilliant and mesmerising in every way. ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ is a wholly consuming collection of tracks which sets the bar high for 2021. 

Talking about the EP Kynsy said: “A lot of the songs are based around the idea of how we as people are either being followed or chasing after things that don’t exist. We are followed by the things we see through technology, television, the news – things that derail and confuse our sense of reality.  We also chase things that don’t exist.  We ignore the fact that things could change in a blink, or chase idealistic dreams of the future based on things we’ve seen on TV or on phone screens. I found there to be a juxtaposition in the positive and negative aspects of things that don’t exist; how having hope can change peoples lives for the better, how art is made from things that were previously non-existent and how these life fulfilling aspects as well as the things that can derail us are constantly fighting each other in our thought processes.This EP is a dialogue between those positive and negative thoughts and emotions.  I wanted the music to create a world of freedom, hope and playfulness while the lyrics focus on the struggle of fighting, running and coming to terms with all of the good and bad we find in things that don’t exist.”

Stream ‘Things That Don’t Exist’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Kynsy ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’

Rising newcomer Kynsy has released her new single ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’. Kynsy, is the solo project of rising 23 year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Ciara Lindsey.Tipped in 2FM’s Rising 2020 list, Kynsy’s single ‘Cold Blue Light’ picked up plays on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music with Kynsy also featuring on the cover of Spotify playlists including Fresh Finds Rock and An Alternative Eire as well as on the cover of Indie Britain on Tidal. The track was also included in Spotify’s New Music Friday UK, Badass Women, Et Alt and New Alt playlists.

‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ is a sublime example of Kynsy’s tight, refined songcraft as she swaggers her way through sharp guitar and jolting indie rock to create a raw number that is to die for. A catchy guitar riff reminiscent of The Strokes introduces a lonely, almost spaghetti western vibe while the stomping beat and moody delivery sets the tracks gritty undertone.It’s a punchy, matter of fact tune with both sweetness and attitude oozing through Kynsy’s vocals. The zest-stricken sharp guitar refrains and light buoyant rhythmic foundation create a mesmerising contrast while at the same time blending the light indie tones with sulky, moody moments. There’s striking cinematic beauty to ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ as Kynsy paints a mixture of emotions on an almost Tarantino- movie desert backdrop, however she reins it in, not fully committing to the gritty genre and instead introduces and allows the indie pop elements to flourish and thrive. Kynsy is an exciting and talented artist and one to keep an eye on. 

Written and co-produced by Kynsy, she enlisted mixer Claudius Mittendorfer (Interpol / Sorry / Parquet Courts) to buff the finished work. About the track, Kynsy said: “It’s a tug of war between the positive and negative thought processes that occur when a relationship ends. It’s about accepting the fact that sometimes you have to laugh the pain away or look at negativity head on in order to feel positive emotions and have positive thoughts again.” 

The track comes with an accompanying self-directed video, filmed in Dublin by Tim Shearwood and featuring Kynsy and her friends. Talking about the video, she explained “I wanted to try and create the same sort of balance of ideas, it needed to be fun and playful but with moments of emotional vulnerability in there too, a sort of yin and yang of simple fun against complex emotions.”

Watch the video for ‘Happiness Isn’t A Fixed State’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, electro - rock, Electronic, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, indie rock, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : Kynsy

Kynsy is the solo project of rising 23 year-old multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Ciara Lindsey – who today has released her debut single, ‘Cold Blue Light. Having previously performed on the Other Voices Music Trail and at Ireland Music Week, the Dublin artist kicked off this year with a whole host of 2020 Hot List features.

‘Cold Blue Light’ is a fermenting blitz which evokes a thrilling sense of anticipation while Kynsy carries herself with a vivid coolness through a fizzing raw soundscape. The track is dark with a cold embrace as the song punches with effortless rock stamina through a nonchalant delivery. With sharp guitars saturated in distortion the track ventures into psychedelic territory.There is substance to this track as well, the wry lyrics depict fading chancers and their last grasp at relevance. The soft pop melody has a dreamy delicacy as shimmering synths sweeten the tracks ominous undertone which is provided by the sluggish drum beats and sinister foundation.

‘Cold Blue Light’ exudes a residue of St. Vincent flair albeit with more edgy rock elements as Kynsy builds and creates distinct moments of brilliance within the track which set the bar high. Kynsy is an impressive artist to keep an eye on. 

About the track and video, Kynsy said: ‘’Cold Blue Light’ is about the bullies we all encounter in life and looking for meaning in the darkness they create. I wanted to write a song that held some sort of balance between destruction and hope. It’s based on an encounter I had at a new year’s eve party where there was a guy spouting racist remarks at people and it was quite upsetting and stuck with me. The result was a rowdy pop song truck full of sticky anger and synth pop goo. The video was filmed just with a camera on a tripod in my back garden, I wanted it to be direct and simple so people could focus on the music.”   

Watch the video for ‘Cold Blue Light’ below


Author : Danu