Introducing Sliimy + live review + video
13 comments | Published by Olly Meakings |
Although in a drunken haze, I felt it imperative that we were first to review this show (and bring you another teentoday.co.uk exclusive). I’ve just got back from the Sliimy showcase (and first ever full UK performance) in ever-popular Hoxton Square to see if the guy with the Perez Hilton marketing machine behind him deserves the crescendo of hype he’s already garnered (including mysterious Who is Sliimy? tweets from the likes of Katy Perry, Paris Hilton and Lady Gaga) or - as I’m sure the record label fear - he’ll be seen as an inferior and just a little-bit-too-odd version of Mika.
Let’s just kill that one now, because despite the slightly unique styling, the quirky nature of his pop and even-stranger nature of his rather-epic barnet Sliimy is just nothing like Mika. His personal take on leftfield pop is affecting and soulful stuff - equal parts bashful and confident. Oh, and very frequently dark (and all the better for it). Despite his likely protestation otherwise there is none of the high-gloss camp and showmanship of Mika.
Infact Sliimy in his finest moments instead comes across as the tortured and poetic kid booted from his bedroom - complete with his diary, wardrobe and all the youthful angst, insolence, joy and passion - and promptly stuck on stage and told to sing. This fact brings a beautiful sense of authenticity and rawness to his music, reminiscent of something an at-her-best Lily Allen or Kate Nash might do. In fact, whilst his contemporaries bound around on stage with joy, Sliimy seems more like a rag doll suspended from the rafters, endearingly and occasionally hysterically flailing around the more-prop-than-instrument mic stand.
Accompanied by acoustic guitar, Sliimy grunted, gurned, whispered, gnarled, knashed, choked (and even sang) his way through a succession of musical numbers, the majority beautifully formed masterclasses in unaffected-sounded but twisted rainbowesque pop like debut single Wake Up (I’m Not mister muscle but I can be loathsome And I can hustle you) that fits perfectly with his quirky styling and showmanship. And talking of the styling, he looked like a child lost in the World of Fancydress - a storm of oversized regal blazers, slack trousers, bow ties, Shoreditch glasses and British hat - every bit as fantastic as it sounds.
Inversely, other songs are potentially so inoffensive they leave you thinking of the bar or later in the show, the inevitable toilet dash-- like the Womanizer cover that despite being a fantastic moment of pop interpretation that scores points for familiarity in a mostly unheard set - has lost some of its impact after multiple listens. These moments however are insignificant when at their greatest, songs such as See You Again, and these really are beautiful moments, are akin to tormented lullabies that will send shivers down your spine and are written and emoted so poetically and theatrically they can stop a room of seasoned Shoreditchy types in their tracks…
The show itself is equal parts theatre and music, as Sliimy contorts his face and body like the playdo used to create his debut stop-gap animation video… although it all seems slightly in conflict with his obviously shy and low-key offstage nature. Infact some of the camper and unabashed moments of sexuality bordered on drunken gay best mate at a party and will likely (and sadly) alienate some potential fans. Though his take on pop is fresh and often inspired it won’t be for everyone, however a world of lonely gay teenagers just found a new best friend through their ipod.
Tomorrow Sliimy takes to the stage as the support act for Katy Perry’s Newcastle show, and the question is will the subtleties and beauty in what he does be lost on a pop-hungry crowd expecting a bombastic performance, and will his unabashed camp stage persona and initially simple-sounding nursery rhyme lyrics (and offbeat dancing) alienate potential fans. We certainly hope not: give him a chance because when you let the music sweep over you, this is someone you will grow to love. A lot. Another teentoday.co.uk crush in the making.
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What do you think of Sliimy? Quirky pop fruitloop or just plain naff?
hi
he’s ok.
perez. is. not. cool.
i don’t like when he calls a little baby “fug”.
ur fugly perez.
sliimy, why the hell did you let him sign u on? WHY?
wow
ugh.....
is he trying to be mika or what.
im confused. i didn’t understand and words that came outta his mouth. no offense dood, but WHAT THE HELL
hm
its proven that a person will grow to like anything if s/he listens to it enough, so there is truth to your suggestion “give him a chance because when you let the music sweep over you, this is someone you will grow to love.” Right now though, I’m not ready to subject myself not listening to him. He’s just too annoying… I watched the clip and have no idea where your review comes from! Did you get paid by Perez or Warner Brothers?
Olly aka the boss
No, I have no interest in being paid for the reviews on the site. We focus on talking about things we love and this was one of them. Thanks for leaving comments
harryintl
Mais prend garde, Sliimy, la machine financière cruelle commence à tourner. L’avantage sera à eux et le karma sera à toi. N’oubliez pas la leçon sombre de Michael Jackson.
bleh
AWFUL. I want to stab both my ears when he started to sing!
laura
I find him very interesting. Can’t lie...don’t know who Mika is. He is hard to understand, but I heard he’s French so there is probably the accent there. He’s just fun and refreshing to watch.
Andrew Swales
are u perez hilton in disugise?
coz only he would say good thinks about this loser
Roberta
This guy is a tool and he’s destined to fail. Perez keeps pimping him out to everyone who hates him. Time to die, fattie. This guy sucks. Sorry
Tom
eww, supreme crap. but then again, i cant stand any mediocre pop, so maybe its just not my type of music.
juliette_jnspc
this guy is fun, fresh and a good singer. even if you don’t like his music, you could show a little respect!
Jess
He’s strange but last night in newcastle he was brilliant.
When people say he’s a knock-off mika, it’s not true.
He is completely unique and the acoustic compliments his voice perfectly.
Mika has all this techno-pop crap.
lana
Well I think he’s brilliant! His accent actually sounds funny in a good way, of course. And the music video for a song Wake up, is also fun to watch. It makes me smile everytime i watch it.
And no, I have nothing to do with Perez what so ever. But I do think Perez’s fine in his own way.
Peas out.