REVIEWS OF KYON AND DYEMS - Overnight

Posted on Mon 26 Jan 09

THE LIST MAGAZINE

Kyon & Dyems are enigmatic Edinburgh-based brothers who, on this quality showing, would put most major label hip-hop acts to shame. This debut album, recorded on a budget, is nevertheless brimming with ideas, intelligence and wit, its myriad influences connecting to make a web of emotional and lyrical power. Their musical backdrop is primarily electronica, but everything from swing and indie to world music and leftfield R&B shows face, the brothers blending poignancy and humour to great effect. This works brilliantly throughout but reaches a pinnacle on epic final track ‘Popular’, which is a musical journey through every possible emotion in its own right.

NORMANRECORDS.COM

An interesting record has landed in front of me. Kyon & Dyems ‘Overnight’ make some clever sounds and dope electronic beats but the first thing that really hits you is that there is a Scottish guy dropping rhymes. Edinburgh and Fife aren’t places you associate with hip-hop but Bambatta’s virus has spread throughout the globe so in those terms it does make sense. These guys are actually really good. Their lyrics are cool and the flow is admirable. This reminds us of early Anticon and Ghislain Poirier. 180g LP on Crystal wish with ace sleeve.

JUMBORECORDS.COM

This Edinburgh hiphop duo spin their rhymes over some inventive backings taking in elements of electronica loungey jazz and folk, all united by a sense of old-timey melancholy.