MusicFirst LookListen to Fryars’ genre-bending album PowerThe electro-pop genius skews reality and hints at nostalgia with addictive mid-tempo beatsShareLink copied ✔️November 12, 2014MusicFirst LookTextParker Bruce In Fryars' new album, Power, the London musician (real name Ben Garrett) makes mid-tempo his mantra. The 24-year-old expands his breadth of references since Dark Young Hearts in 2009, flirting with sounds popularised by Elton John and Billy Joel ("Don't Make It Hard On Yourself") and trying on the harkening intimacy of James Blake and The xx (“Love So Cold”). Like his labelmates on Fiction Records, Tame Impala, Fryars never waxes too nostalgic, taking things sonically to the point of pastiche, but never tumbling into oblivion. The loping and dawdling "On Your Own" with its dirge piano calls to mind The Thrills, who mined a distinct country rock motif, while the cerebral "China Voyage" is reminiscent of something even weirder: the kooky ballad “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka (1971). Spinning his genre-bending rolodex of references, Fryars assembles a strong bibliography that supports a purely original work. Power is out on 17 November through Fiction Records Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREInside Erika de Casier’s shimmering R&B universe ‘Rap saved my life’: A hazy conversation with MIKE and Earl SweatshirtRay Ban MetaIn pictures: Jefferson Hack launches new exhibition with exclusive event7 essential albums by the SoulquariansIs AI really the future of music?Vanmoof8 Dazed Clubbers on the magic and joy of living in Berlinplaybody: The club night bringing connection back to the dancefloorAn interview with IC3PEAK, the band Putin couldn’t silenceFrost Children answer the dA-Zed quizThe 5 best features from PinkPantheress’ new remix albumMoses Ideka is making pagan synth-folk from the heart of south LondonBehind-the-scenes at Oklou and FKA twigs’ new video shoot