WAY DYNAMIC – Massive Shoe Vinyl

Spearheaded by songwriter Dylan Young, Massive Shoe is Way Dynamics third foray into revivalist pop coloured by his own creative fingerprint.
In the past year, Way Dynamic have released their sophomore LP Duck to excellent reviews, toured with Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman & The Wind, and are now already returning with another full length release Massive Shoe, resuming Youngs exploration into minimalist folk-pop, baroque pop and art rock.

Yellow Green Red in their album review for Duck aptly describe Way Dynamic as; Brian Wilsons lust for pop perfection brought back to earth by Randy Newmans silliness and Christopher Crosss knack for an original melody that already feels familiar. Adding a touch of Neil Young balladry, Massive Shoe continues this formula, as they lyrically dive into topics such as navigating relationships, struggling to communicate, mistakes and humanity, while maintaining a sense of ambiguity that washes over you rather than slaps you in the face.

Although Way Dynamic can draw parallels to many of the artists above, the album never falls into songwriting tropes of that era, instead Young manages to bob and weave in the face of any typical motif, keeping the album engaging and lighthearted, and maintaining a sense of adventure in his music. People Settle Down sets us off with a groove and backing vocal hooks, before we shift into more tender songs such as Miffed It which floats above a guitar melody that may be the earworm of the year. Before you can settle into the tender songs, the album shifts again with absurd pop song My Visit (To Hell), lyrically chronicling Dylans journey through hell over a bouncy beat and progression.

The album title Massive Shoe, alludes to one always having bigger shoes to fill. Despite Way Dynamics brilliant past releases, and the massive shoe left to fill after each album, Young consistently manages to outdo himself as he patiently builds a distinctive and impressive discography.