deryk WOMb

Auckland-based, UK-born newcomer deryk makes slow music for fast times. She first arrested us with her affecting voice on her debut single, 'Call You Out' in July. She has since shared the moving follow up, 'One Star' and her latest heart-wrencher, 'goodtimes'.

Friday 2/10 marks the release of her debut EP WOMb across which deryk's natural flair for tapping into emotions deep within us all is on full show. Written in conjunction with writing spar and co-producer Justyn Pilbrow, WOMb is a culmination of deryk's thoughts and feelings of navigating life as a young woman in 2020 and shines a light on her impressively well rounded artistic talent.

In addition, deryk has shared a third self-devised and self-directed video for the EP's focus track, 'goodtimes'. A tale of heartache and lessons learnt from past relationships, 'goodtimes' manages to be both melancholic and uplifting - like only the best multidimensional pop music can. The fuzzed up, out of focus vibe of the video reiterates that complex question of memory.

The full EP features two further songs 'MEN' and 'Heard It All' – for the complete WOMb experience listen (preferably on headphones) here.

"Writing WOMb was me trying to make sense of what was happening in my life over a strange time. I suddenly felt very detached from myself and my inner dialogue was waaay too loud. I wasn't really sure what I was doing and I couldn't comprehend why switching off was so difficult for me, forever stuck in a maze with no ending. Restricting my feelings and opinions constantly, left in confusion, burying myself in a busy routine and a constant agitation that had almost become a personality trait. My angst wasn't fuelling my days anymore, I was on my last legs and still didn't know what I was meant to do. When I met Justyn and we started playing together, catching up just became an outlet to talk and create and just exist without the surface fuck around I felt like I had to do with everybody else. A protective mechanism probably, lol wow. Justyn and I created a still space for us when everything outside was spinning and in that stillness, WOMb was made.

deryk is heavily influenced by British culture in all aspects for her creativity thanks to her mum. Musically, she draws inspiration from powerful female artists like PJ Harvey, Fiona Apple, Esperanza Spalding, Kate Bush, Joni Mitchell and Bjork, as well as her love for Bristol and its culture in the 90s. deryk has crafted her own sound that feels utterly contemporary while still retaining a hazy timeless quality.

The sound of deryk is unique and captivating, moulding distinctive, rhythmic vocal phrasings and visceral lyrics around craftily submerged melodies and ghostly modular tones. Slow music for fast times, space and solace amongst the confusion, a gentle reveal in the age of instant gratification, mordant lines over sumptuous melodies - deryk is something special.

WOMb EP track listing:

1. Call You Out
2. One Star
3. MEN
4. Heard It All
5. goodtimes