Rotterdam-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Sykes releases his debut EP ‘We and Us’, via Rotterdam-based forward-thinking electronic label Fluid Funk.

Featuring the recently released single and opening track ‘We And Us’, the five track EP - entirely written and produced by Sykes - is drenched in 2-step influenced drums, jazz piano loops, neo-soul melodies and the artist’s rich and ambiguous vocals. Citing some of electronic music's most thoughtful and sophisticated artists including Alfa Mist and Richard Spaven project 44th Move, James Blake, Flying Lotus, Bonobo and Floating Points, as well as 2-step hero Peven Everett, Sykes creates smooth electronic music containing shades of everything from UK garage to 2-step and broken beat, from soul to jazz.

Sykes wrote ‘We And Us’ after a long conversation with a friend about religion, race and the systemic racism embedded as normal practice within our society. Reflecting on the meaning behind the song the talented artist says: “it’s about the deep divisions in modern society. A lot of tensions between people of all kinds of beliefs and political affiliations were surfacing at the time I was writing the song. I really wanted to write something that could resonate with hope.”

Second track, ‘World’, is a jazz-influenced cut with hip hop drums musically inspired by Ezra Collective, while Sykes wrote its lyrics after conversation with his girlfriend. “Sometimes it just feels overwhelming to find your own path, but it’s also a song about hope and about the fact that there are always like-minded people with whom you can build your own community,” he explains.

Sykes is part of Rotterdam’s new forward-thinking electronic music scene, gravitating around cultural platforms and collectives of creative people such as Triphouse Rotterdam and Operator Radio. As a DJ he has been hosting his own show on Operator Radio, while as an artist and producer, he has been championed by DJ, music curator and NTS radio host Carista, who picked his infectious track ‘Take’ for ‘Modern Intimacy Volume 1’, the first compilation album out on her United Identities label. As a performer Sykes has been collaborating with Dutch producer Beau Zwart, who’s ‘Beyond Two Souls’ EP ft. Sykes marked the launch of the Fluid Funk label in 2020. Together they performed their energetic live set at ADE 2019, culminating in an EP release, ‘Hold Tight’, released last summer.

With upcoming releases including tracks on Bristol-born record label Boogie Cafe Records’ upcoming compilation, an electronic dance EP on Carista’s United Identities and a future album in the pipeline, Sykes is set to make an impact on the international music scene.