Cybophonia – Sway (2025)
Formed in the early-2000s chillout era, Cybophonia has shifted through the kaleidoscopic and evolving realms of dream-pop, alternative pop, shoegaze, and new wave. The solo project of musician, DJ and producer Eros Minichiello, the Switzerland-based Cybophonia brings that sound that you can listen to in the background (or in the foreground) where you find yourself humming even if you don’t know the tune. This is my introduction to Cybophonia, so join me as we take a headfirst dive into his most recent release, Sway.
Introduced to Cybophonia as being a dream-pop-influenced artist, I sat awaiting sounds reminiscent of Cocteau Twins, Slowdive or Mazzy Star; the offering is a four-track feast of alternative sounds from the lush harmonies of ethereal new wave to the heavier rushes of alternative rock, post-punk and indie-rock. Oscillating between sensations of confident boldness, brash vulnerability, soothing languidness, and gritty ruggedness, each moment has you twisting and turning in a kaleidoscopic swirl of intoxication, confusion, and joy.
Sprinkling his sophisticated fairy-dust across each minute of the 16-minute EP, the various tracks bulge with soaring guitars, heavy drums, and shimmering synths whirling in the melodic concoction. Yet, while the washed-out flavours can be heard in each track, every tune has strong individuality both in its style and its effect. Moreover, each track is a ride from one step in a soundscape to the other, dancing across, jumping over, and sauntering through variations of any particular genre. For instance, ‘In Love’ continues from the opening ‘Fading Light’ with an electronic clipped beat; however, it flies through heavier realms of rock-tinged walls, binding alternative rock guitars and drums with clips of pop-rock bass. Heavy and hard, but with a subdued lightness adding extra edginess to the song.
For me, each song on Sway is unique, yet it is ‘Pretend You’re Mine’ that really makes the EP. As the ending track, this is what Cybophonia places in your head as he takes his leave. Not only do the soulful vocals insert a silvery glimpse of twinkling music, but the ride from languid tenderness to a snub of synth-driven intoxication, and an end of acoustic guitar strumming is insightful, fun and intriguing. The perfect song to stick in your brain.
Sincere, sentimental and insightful, but with the rambunctious crawl of heavier elements, Sway is a short trip away from reality to a musical world. I am eager to hear more from Cybophonia, but until then, I’ll sway along to Sway.
Find out more about Cybophonia on his Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Obsidian PR.
