YSSY

Toronto indie duo YSSY (say &#34;yessy&#34;) makes vivid, synthy alt-pop that’s throwback-tinted and refreshing all at once. Comprised of singer-songwriter/producer <a href="spotify:artist:1i09Ryc3JjlXUGD1jEDqAn" data-name="Elliot Caroll">Elliot Caroll</a> and multi-instrumentalist/producer <a href="spotify:artist:4SdYYyv8b8sX12xP6eXdhN" data-name="Simeon Abbott">Simeon Abbott</a>, the pair bonded upon meeting over a shared love of modern pop sounds and classic songcraft. Within months, they cemented their musical partnership and built a studio together.

Caroll began her career as a solo recording artist in her teens, honing her craft in Los Angeles working with eminent writers and producers. Abbott, a jazz-trained pianist, brings the genre-bending versatility he displays as the keyboardist for renowned music collective <a href="spotify:artist:1Xpwc4YexjuUDYDKJw18Oh" data-name="Dwayne Gretzky">Dwayne Gretzky</a>. Their resulting collaboration as YSSY is as catchy as it is thoughtful, seamlessly blending earworm-worthy hooks and incisive lyrics with signature retro-tinged sounds.

On their debut release, <a href="spotify:album:0IwNG66UXR65LWWR4SghLO" data-name="The Way It Was">The Way It Was</a>, the duo hints at varied influences like Y2K-era <a href="spotify:artist:4e1KgW8FCqVytLFSzEYEKo" data-name="Max Martin">Max Martin</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0LcJLqbBmaGUft1e9Mm8HV" data-name="ABBA">ABBA</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2iM28IgKg89v1o7BTQAVPo" data-name="Bruce Hornsby">Bruce Hornsby</a>, 90s power pop, and the most creative corners of contemporary radio. At once polished and genuine, the EP is an introduction to a band rapidly making their mark, with national airplay on CBC Radio and Radio One. Their follow-up single <a href="spotify:album:5ZMYw8tHAf1WV1U1Ucf9P2" data-name="The Window">The Window</a>, a buoyant indie rock anti-racism anthem, was featured as SOCAN’s Song of the Week. YSSY’s 80s synthwave renditions of <a href="spotify:track:2FY93l5c1DcYyp9ixVOXIx" data-name="The Mandalorian">The Mandalorian</a> and <a href="spotify:track:5051n0325qznZC3RxB1ePY" data-name="Squid Game">Squid Game</a> themes have racked up over 4 million views on YouTube, garnering buzz and new listeners across the globe.