CANT (Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear) @ Johnny Brenda’s.

Chris Taylor of Brooklyn-based Grizzly Bear came through Philadelphia yesterday performing as his new solo project, CANT.

Taylor, the bassist, vocalist and producer of Grizzly Bear, put out his first solo, Ghosts, back in 2009. In September of this year, he released the full-length album, Dreams Come True, in collaboration with George Lewis Jr. from Twin Shadow.

Taylor played to an intimate crowd at Johnny Brenda’s, debuting his new, dark-toned, synth-based tracks, which go quite astray from the easy-going, harmonic sounds of Grizzly Bear. His music is more reminiscent of a rhythmic playground just following a hailstorm. The heavy bass line and beats are prominent but they’re also slippery and at times unpredictable.

Taylor gave the crowd a small glimmer of his multi-faceted talents, switching back and forth between bass and electric guitar, alternating with Devonté Hynes from the opening band, Blood Orange.

– Text and images by Grace Dickinson.