The 2019 Jester One Music Top 20 Countdown - #17

#17. SYML - Clean Eyes


There are a ton of interesting band names out there, some with good meaning and some that are ridiculous. SYML is Welsh for simple, which I think is a fantastic way to describe Brian Fennel's solo project. There's nothing too complicated about his eponymous debut record, but it doesn't lack in alt-pop sensibilities. It's definitely a good record to his shuffle on and let yourself get lost in, unless you're behind the wheel. My other favorite song off of this record is "Bed", and the single release had a really good acoustic version of "Clean Eyes" as well. This is an interesting one for me because other than 1 or 2 people, no one I spoke with about them this year had any idea who I was talking about. Even with that being said, SYML sound like a band whose songs you've heard before a dozen times, you just cannot place your finger on it.

As for the hit, it opens up the record with a catchy upbeat driving drum and piano mix that immediately catches your ear. I remember driving to work one morning and having it come on, wondering who it was, and then hearing it again in the afternoon and being hooked. It's funny how many of my Top 20 song stories start out like that. It was an early favorite to make the Countdown this year, it just never really gained any steam despite getting consistent streams. Lyrically, the song seems to be about finding love in someone similar to you. The song made it up to #29 in the Billboard Top Alternative charts and ended the year with over 7.5 streams on Spotify, so the band definitely has an upward trend working their way. No video, unfortunately.

Favorite Line: "You can't change me - can you save me?"





Title: Clean Eyes
Artist: SYML
Album: SYML


 Previous #17s
2018: Superorganism - Everybody Wants To Be Famous
2017: Tinashe - Flame
2016: Trivium - Until The World Goes Cold
2015: Big Data - The Business of Emotion (ft White Sea)
2014: Foster The People - Coming of Age
2013: Sevendust - Decay
2012: Morning Parade - Headlights
2011: Lonely Island - Jack Sparrow (Ft Michael Bolton)
2010: Slash - Baby Can't Drive (ft Alice Cooper + Nicole Scherzinger)  
2009: DevilDriver - Another Night In London