Daily dose
At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, Calvyn Cass is one of the most unique figures to emerge, in the EDM world in some time. Currently based in Canada, Calvyn is the personification of androgyny. To say, Calvyn Cass is a striking figure, is a severe understatement. He has a tremendous physique, and a tantalizing sense of fashion, along with piercing eyes, that never seem to flinch. It’s quite likely, the world of music has never seen anything quite like, Calvyn Cass.
Looking over Calvyn’s website, I was unable to find much in the way of any bio. It seems his music career is still somewhat in its infancy. His newest single, “Enemy Number One,” is currently available across streaming platforms. Cass classifies his music as EDM, which is mostly accurate, but it seems as though it will ultimately be more appealing to the 25 to 39 demographic. You could actually argue that Calvyn overshadows his music, with his mesmerizing presence.
The message behind “Enemy Number One” is to not allow your circumstances to lead you into self-sabotage. So often, we can fall victim to self-fulfilling prophecies, and manifest our own limitations. You said I dimmed your lights/every time you tried to shine. There are also some vague and in some cases, transparent references to alcoholism, and how Cass, at one point struggled with addiction. There is a certain poignancy in Calvyn’s lyrics, as well as bold honesty.
Musically, “Enemy Number One” is flawed, but not broken. There are a couple of blemishes with the final mix including some run on issues, throughout the verse. The mistakes aren’t glaring, but they do have slight potential to take you out of the moment. Thankfully, Calvyn Cass’s voice, is enough to compensate for any compositional shortcomings. Calvyn is a strong singer, with a distinctive quality to his voice, that can take you to emotional crescendos, with each passing chorus.
Though marketed as EDM, “Enemy Number One” is more likely to make you want to saunter, than dance. The song is considerably deep, and advocates self-acceptance and reflection. Calvyn Cass has the talent and vision to explore multiple genres, which will be crucial to his development as an artist. Cass doesn’t seem to lend himself to categorization, and the EDM genre could eventually prove to be somewhat restrictive to him. Freedom of expression is certainly a major theme in Cass’s work, and you see a raging fire of creative inspiration in his eyes.
“Enemy Number One” is likely to appeal to audiences that extend past the EDM genre. It’s something of a sleeper track, that becomes more attractive, the more you encounter it. Calvyn Cass, pours himself into the performance, and emerges with something flattering and memorable. He is without question, an artist to watch as we march into the new decade. As for now, Calvyn Cass is here to remind us that although we all have enemies, you should try to stay focused, on number one.
Emily Knudsen
