The debut single from Sun Cell, the fresh moniker of producer Daryl Hor, seems to tell us that he’s not had a great time. A synthpop cut more lethargic than optimistic, the whole of ‘New Year’ coalesces into a rather washed out affair (though part by design, since it does sound exactly like Washed Out and his chillwave contemporaries a decade ago) that passes by with a bleary drift - “New lease, new life, new year,” he drones, welcoming the year ahead as pads glow galore. With the producer having first honed his chops producing for pop-rock names in Singapore like RENE and Royal Estate, you can tell he’s got his reference points down to a T (yum, LFO automation!), but so far like his peers, Hor’s introverted resignation isn’t quite translating into any poignant affectations. Nevertheless, if you’re fond of constant arp patterns and mechanical 80s' haze (which was meant to embrace hypnotic droning anyways), ‘New Year’ might be intriguing. After all - wanting to stay in after New Year’s Eve? I totally get it. But whatever new lease this is bringing? I’m not so sure.

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