- Oscar Key Sung, celebrated Melbourne crooner-producer returns with No Disguise, his third EP and first outing since 2015’s Altruism. It’s six tracks of smooth R&B, infused with the pop sensibilities and electronic dexterity of an early 2000's James Blake fronted boy band.
Opening strong with single Simple Luv Key Sung flexes. Bold, polished production and a galvanising synth loop confirms he’s ready to go toe-to-toe with commercial heavyweights like Drake and Miguel - albeit with a slightly more electronic flavour. Armed with an EP that is better travelled than the average Aussie tourist, written between Berlin, Mexico, LA and Melbourne, the work has noticeable smatterings of the cities in the between the bars of each song.
Track Club Mate sees local legend Max Byrne, aka Golden Vessel lend additional production to the slinky, sultry cut. Snappy snares cradle Key Sung’s celestial vocals and decorate a bodacious, propulsive, synth laden bass line that just won’t quit.
The record's title track showcases Key Sung’s musical agility and it's not only his soaring vocal range, but his deft ear for production: pairing angelic, cascading vocal layers with airy, atmospheric keys. Equally as evident on second to last track, Company which proves itself a sonic chrysalis, otherworldly and instrumentally sparse, the cut sees Key Sung at his most vulnerable sheltered by his use of negative space.
When I had an existential crisis, I dyed my hair pink and adopted a three legged cat. When Oscar Key Sung ended up penniless in Berlin, he turned calamity into creation, and arguably the best six track R&B infused pop EP 2018 will provide. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
- Fiona Priddey.