motel void

In mid-August, Canadian singer-songwriter Gwynn Davies released his new EP, The Definition of Insanity, A Commodity, A Human Being. Since debuting in 2023 with the single Rose Gold, Davies has been steadily releasing singles and EPs – and this latest work is his most ambitious and substantial to date.

The record opens with Dark Days & The Ripples In Between, which immediately stands out thanks to its warm lo-fi production. Davies’ voice fits beautifully into this atmosphere, its hazy texture recalling the lo-fi icon Daniel Johnston. His tone is inviting and intimate, as if he were singing right next to you. Though the track relies mainly on simple acoustic guitar and rhythm, it’s the charming melody that truly carries it and makes it so effective.

Next comes Corporate America, which begins with an instrumental intro before unfolding into a satirical song about the glorification of the West and the American Dream. Again, the track maintains that appealing lo-fi aesthetic – as if recorded on analog tape and played back on an old cassette deck. This production choice feels authentic and engaging, and Davies’ strong songwriting shines through even in this stripped-back form.

A standout moment for me is Water Falls – a relatively dark piece led by delicate fingerpicking on acoustic guitar and a whispery, fleeting vocal delivery that lends the song a mysterious, almost ghostly atmosphere.

Terminal Velocity on Saturday shifts the mood. It’s a warmer, slightly melancholic tune with a memorable, almost lazy-sounding refrain – “Saturday, I like to do nothing…” – that lingers in your head for days.

The EP’s final proper track, The Insomniac, is a more ballad-like and emotionally charged song that closes the record on a slightly somber note. That melancholy, however, feels fitting – it leaves the listener reflective and absorbed in the lingering atmosphere of the album.

For those who wish to stay in that mood a bit longer, the EP also includes two unabridged versions of Corporate America and The Insomniac. These extended takes are instrumentally richer, and in the case of The Insomniac, perhaps even more affecting, allowing the contemplative tone to expand and breathe. They also offer an intriguing glimpse into Davies’ creative process and how his songs evolve toward completion.

The Definition of Insanity, A Commodity, A Human Being is a thoughtful and quietly powerful EP that rewards patient listening. With its lo-fi textures, emotional honesty, and strong songwriting, Gwynn Davies proves that minimalism can still feel full and immersive.

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This album was discovered via SubmitHub