The name hycove will perhaps not mean a lot to the unsuspecting listener. Hailing from Glasgow, the gifted newcomer is who you’d call a hidden gem, a proud and dedicated creative slowly uncovering his unique brand of dream pop and fringe shoegaze. It’s immediately clear how he enjoys moving beyond the beaten path: refusing to follow trends or viral moments, hycove focuses on material that’s packed with escapism and blissful allure. Following up on his debut effort ‘did you find what you’re looking for?’, released back in January, the Scottish artist has now returned with a brand new offering.
‘as near as makes no difference’ still fits the overall aesthetic behind the project, yet it does look like it’s enjoying a more tender dream-pop personality. Leaving behind the gritty guitar tones of its predecessor, the new single embraces mellow soundscapes and angelic vocals. To note, both tracks are marked as demos, and while we appreciate how hycove is still in the early phases of his musical journey, we do truly love the heightened lo-fi character carried by both records. They are very immersive pieces of music, almost hypnotic.
Delving deeper into ‘as near as makes no difference’, hycove explains: “The song reflects on a personal experience of losing someone and the resulting thoughts on life and mortality.” Shining further light on his creative ethos, the Scottish talent continues: “The songs are generally very personal and written to get the thoughts, emotions, words and melodies out of my head. I don’t expect them to have mass appeal or engagement, and don’t write them for that purpose.” That’s a rather wholesome ethos, one that feels authentic and honest.
Recommended! Discover ‘as near as makes no difference’ now: