- MIYNT is the project of Swedish indie pop artist Fredrika Ribbing. She emerged in 2015 with a couple of enigmatic, expansive pop singles and followed this up with 2016’s EP No. 1, which was an exciting debut effort. Her latest release, Stay on Your Mind, an EP that borders on LP-length, sees her fine-tune her sound and really begin to find herself as an artist.
On the opening track, The Rebel – Intro, a stunning, oscillating harp movement introduces the record, soon accompanied by Ribbing’s whispery, smooth vocals that are reminiscent of Julee Cruise. The general recipe for the rest of the album is shimmering synths and woozy guitars. It doesn't spread itself too far but the result is a wistful half-hour project which flutters by in no time and features some real gems.
The first of those jewels comes in the cut Peaches. “It’s a little bit contagious / But my head is on the pavement” rings the catchy chorus over swirling guitars, one of a number of tracks seemingly about love and all the fun troubles that come with it. Miynt does have a penchant for those themes and why not, when they suit her style to a tee? I'd go as far as to say it's thematically appropriate, considering the EP’s title.
Vacation with Bond in South of France, Pt. 2 and Lucy in Disguise are two other standouts, dabbling in psych-rock, much like Melody’s Echo Chamber and also continuing the EP’s trend of having utterly infectious hooks. The Idiot and the EP's title-track provide nice changes of pace, both are memorable slow-burners. Stay on Your Mind, in particular, is the highlight of the project, an absolutely gorgeous closing track centred around Ribbing’s intimate, breathy vocals and shimmering synths.
Admittedly, it still feels like Ribbing hasn’t completely realised her potential, but that’s not actually a bad thing. Although this record’s replay value is slightly hurt by the repetitive song structures, Ribbing’s obvious ability to produce infectious, gauzy ear worms leaves you thinking this EP could be the launch pad for something special. Hopefully she does take that next step, but no matter what, if you have found enjoyment from the pop offerings from the likes of Hatchie and Lana Del Rey this year, be sure to give this a chance. You won’t regret it. Stay On Your Mind gifts us with a number of ethereal, cinematic songs that are all we need to lose ourselves in daydreams.
- Jack Jones.