GiddyGang - Giddy Mix [Mixtape Review]
Norway’s supercool genre-blending team of five ‘GiddyGang’ drop their exciting, immersive mixtape ‘Giddy Mix’, a seamless blend of futuristic soundscapes inspired by the band’s beloved hip-hop, jazz and soul influences.
Classically trained and priding themselves on their experimental approach, Oslo based R&B collective GiddyGang are fairly new on the scene but are quickly establishing themselves as a special type of forward-facing band with progressive creative ideas to spare. Their 17-track ‘Giddy Mix’ mixtape is their debut project, boasting warm, warped electronic production plumped up with rich beats and full-bodied instrumentalism. Throughout the record, jazzy piano trills and weaving, silky vocals are held steady by a busy bass guitar and ever-present dance-inducing rhythms.
Songs are almost snippets, where short-but-sweet concepts merge together to create a groovy stretch of chilled out sonics and mesmeric good-vibes. With additional features from Norwegian/South African rapper Vuyo, Butcher Brown’s multi-instrumentalist Tennishu and Norwegian trombonist Sigurd Drågen, the project is a rich and diverse offering that has plenty of exciting touches peppered throughout.
Thrown together during lockdown, the group’s first outing is at once buzzy, soothing and uplifting. Perhaps the dynamic yet peaceful, wide-open world of ‘Giddy Mix’ doubled up as an escape for the band from the strange new routine brought forward by the pandemic. The group convey a real sense of freedom and joy throughout the project. This, at least in part, is likely due to the mixtape being largely unplanned and spontaneously improvised and built upon until the band members saw the potential for a full-length project. The five members, consisting of vocalist Sarah Nærø Pettersen and drummer Sigmund Vestrheim (who are engaged), guitar-player Kevin Andersen pianist Bård Kristian Kylland and Martin Stapnes on bass are a tight-knit unit. United by their love of artists like D’Angelo, J Dilla, Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, the members’ friendship clearly provides fertile ground for unimpeded creative expression and inventive, intricate song writing that make for a refreshing listen. Take our advice, and support this original group by having a listen yourself. ‘Giddy Mix’ is a buoyant, vibrant introduction to a group who undoubtedly have exciting things ahead of them.
Speaking on the mixtape, the band shared, "We wanted to release the entire collection of songs because we want the process to be free, to follow inspiration and to share the joy we have in making the music with anyone out there who can benefit from the vibe we created. The heart of GiddyGang is to provide the world with something unifying in times of trouble.”
Check out GiddyGang’s ‘Giddy Mix’ right here: