Manchester neo-soul and hip hop artist SYLL dismantles our collective addiction to yesterday on his latest single, “Used to be”. Nostalgia is a brilliant liar. We drape our memories in a protective, sentimental hue, stubbornly convinced that life was infinitely better before. SYLL, harnessing the golden-era DNA of influences like D’Angelo and Common, confronts this rosy retrospective head-on.
The release offers two distinct sonic mirrors. The “Used to be-Boom Bap Mix” wraps its verses around a soft, slightly muffled chord progression and a continuous low-end pulse. It establishes a mellow, deeply introspective foundation, pierced occasionally by shimmering ambient accents. It feels akin to returning to a childhood room only to find the walls much smaller than you recalled. SYLL dissects the heavy delusion of “back in my day” sentiments, nudging us to accept the stubborn, forward march of reality.
Conversely, the “Used to be-Sunset Radio Mix” introduces a twinkling, hypnotic loop. A gentle, cyclical sequence playing out as a soothing rhythm. The atmosphere is wistful, yet the overarching realization persists: memories are strictly meant to be cherished, never endlessly chased.
If we keep romanticizing ghosts, how will we ever build a present worth remembering?
