There’s little to nothing available on the origins and details of the artist known as Eyndigo. For someone so well-versed in the alchemy of music-making, this alarming dearth of information in today’s digital age is a surprising move. Her ancient Soundcloud states she’s from Atlanta, and that her name is Jaylyn Slay-Byrd, but that’s all. Maybe it’s for the best though—a little enigma can sometimes invite more curious ears. And what Eyndigo lacks in online presence, she makes up for in melodic ability on her 2024 album Villeyn Era.
She creates a full-bodied world of lush downtempo music while staying true to the soulful essence of R&B and the Atlanta sound, as evidenced on “Star Power.” The first song on the album features shimmery synth pads that get you ready for the party, before the vocals cascade in with a harmonized “star power,” gently seducing the serotonin in your brain. The syncopated drum groove would sit well in a song by The Cinematic Orchestra, employing the full spectrum of cymbals, snares, ghost notes, and flams to maximum effect. Following a brief piano interlude, the delicately husky vocals take on a more Jorja Smith delivery form with a silky R&B tinge. A few notes of a chorus-laden guitar are sprinkled on, and in the blink of an eye, you’re in the Eyndigo Nebula. This spacefarer’s shanty is a celestial voyage through the fabric of reality; an exploration of without and within. Who knew the astral plane had its own soundtrack?
The cosmic ripples continue on “Fck Fear!” where a neo-soul breakbeat—think Knxwledge meets bbno$—is side-chained with a rhythmic synth pattern creating a flow that truly unlocks parts of your brain you didn’t know existed. As the kick drum maintains a relentless pulse that resonates in the bones, the song rises to a blissed-out crescendo of Eyndigo repeating “Fuck the fear,” before giving way to the bittersweet relief of a final flatline. You might need a cigarette and a change of diapers after this one.
There’s something innately laidback about the drums that play behind Eyndigo’s beats. They ease the soul and make you take a step back in a reminder to breathe. These type of drums can go terribly wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing, but in the case of “Pressure,” the album’s third track, they elevate the song to a state of heady bliss that makes you want to eat an edible and sink into your tie-dye jacket. Bossa-tinged chords on an acoustic guitar provide a change of pace from the earlier songs, bringing the listener back to the mossy comfort of Mama Gaia. The percussion is also given a lo-fi treatment, creating a unique tape-delay atmosphere with a warm wood fire crackle. Atlanta-based artist NY Teez makes an appearance, rapping like a less jangly Anderson Paak over a section featuring vaguely discordant orchestral strings and horns. All in all, this track is a refreshing departure from the usual.
But keep tissues handy for what comes next, because the lyrics to “Release,” the final song on Villeyn Era, are a gut punch. “I want all of you, don’t belong to you, you are the perfect test of when I’m the loneliest” Eyndigo sings wistfully, channeling the heartsong of a broken world and baring her soul in the process. The production has received the 80s synthwave treatment, with stadium drums à la Depeche Mode and more reverb than the Sistine Chapel. Together the vocals and instrumentation make melancholic love, reminiscent of the final embrace in a tragic romance. Like the ebb and flow of intimacy, the gentle murmurs of the ocean current wean the listener away as the track ends.
The silken sounds of Eyndigo make for quite a sonic journey, with an effortless suave that begets repeated listening. It’s also worth paying attention to the conclusions of her songs; they often feature a stripped-back presentation of the instruments, revealing the intricate layers that contribute to her overall sound. Villeyn Era has a confluence of psychedelia that cannonballs the listener to the stars, intermixed with an R&B foundation that keeps you grounded before you’re lost in the cosmos. With just four tracks, this conjurer of cool can cast a spell that captivates for time eternal.
