Album Review: FLOYA – Yume (Arising Empire)

Rising from the ashes of ALAZKA & Time, The Valuator, brand new group FLOYA emerge onto the music scene. The German duo of Phil Bayer & Marv Wilder establish a wild blend of solid rock foundations alongside modern EDM elements and world music, inspired by their childhood influences, namely Peter Gabriel, U2 & Sting.

Carving a name for themselves individually in the past as the founders and songwriters of their praised acts, Phil & Marv are now headed on a journey of their own. FLOYA will release their debut album ‘Yume’ on March 8th, 2024, via Arising Empire.

I will never tire of the feeling that comes with first pressing play on a release from an artist or band that I literally know nothing about. The excitement of not knowing what to expect and the chance that I might find my next favourite thing. No amount of reading press releases, reviews, comments, and so on, can match the moment the first notes wash over.

I mention this because it’s rare these days for me to listen to something I have no familiarity with at all. FLOYA might have blown up in a lot of circles (and they really have) but this album is my first experience of them and variations on the core rock sound is right up my street. Even variations as heavily infused with electronica as this album.

Are FOLYA my new favourite thing? Sadly, no, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed the hell out of this album, because I really have. It’s an anthemic listen, with some really sweet melodies, plenty of robust rockiness, and a creative flair that shows the duo have had lengthy song-writing careers already.

A lot of the highlights come almost immediately. First, there is dreamy blend of chill and passion that comes from Stay. Then there is the very pop-rock Willows, catchy chorus and big EDM finish and all. Followed by the delightfully melodic Wonders (a personal favourite), before Drift and The Hymn bring the album’s first half to a close with plenty of danceability and rock groove.

This is music that calls to my more ‘chilled’ side. The side of me that enjoys something with a lot more accessibility to it, and this is accessible music. While it doesn’t have much in the way of bite, it makes up for that by being very memorable and by having a lot of variety. FLOYA’s style could result in a lot of repetition, but they vary things up nicely overall.

The second half features plenty to kick back to and enjoy as well. From a heavier rock effort in the form of Weaver (great guitar solo too), to the very dramatic sound of Epiphany. Then to a surprisingly epic sounding Florescent (another personal favourite), before Lights Out and the title track continue to push the FLOYA sound to even greater heights. It’s quite something to hear just how big the latter portion of the record sounds.

Call it reflective of FLOYA’s future because they’re going to be massive and the proof is in this album.

FLOYA – Yume Track Listing:

1. Stay
2. Willows
3. Wonders
4. Drift
5. The Hymn
6. Weaver
7. Epiphany
8. Florescent
9. Lights Out
10. Yume

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