Hayden Calnin Captures the Mystery and Magic of Light in His Enchanting 2024 EP 'All Kinds of Light'

Hayden Calnin has a unique talent for capturing light in his music as if he were bottling butterflies in a jar. His melodies flutter and float through a delicate haze of analog synths, organic percussion, lush keys, and naturally sourced samples, ranging from chirping birds to crackling flames. The Australian singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist weaves these elements into an evocative, ethereal tapestry of texture and tone. This vision shines brightly in his 2024 EP,'All Kinds of Light'.

“This whole body of work distils the way light affected me and inspired the record, there’s an important mystery to light, but that’s the beauty of the whole thing.”

Hayden's artistry has always been driven by a desire to capture and harness this beauty. Over the years, he has honed his inimitable sound across releases such as 'Cut Love, Pt. 1-2' (2016),' A Life You Would Choose' (2019), 'What It Means To Be Human' (2021), and 'A Turning of the Tide: Side A & B' (2023).

Along the way, he has amassed tens of millions of streams and received praise from outlets like American Songwriter, Atwood Magazine, Beat Magazine, and The Guardian. He has also shared stages with artists like Tom Odell and The Antlers and landed high-profile film and television syncs, including placements in Suits, The Good Doctor, The Vampire Diaries, and So You Think You Can Dance US. His music even featured in the UK trailer for the Academy Award-nominated film Room. Beyond his solo work, Hayden has produced tracks for artists like Didirri, Harrison Storm, Riley Pearce, Woodlock, and NYCK, and co-wrote Dean Lewis's international hit "Falling Up."

In 2023, a three-week trip to Colombia catalysed 'All Kinds of Light'. During his journey, Hayden ventured into the country’s vast mountains to record sounds for the score of 'Phenomenology' (Season 2). While investigating and studying various light phenomena, he collected natural samples of chimes, flutes, birds, and flames, bringing the wonders of his surroundings to life in the studio.

“The whole journey gave me this batch of songs, we were meeting all of these people and enjoying such amazing experiences. Every song has a sample that represents the place or subject it’s about.”

The EP's first single, "Majuy", pays homage to one of the mountains Hayden encountered in Colombia. Another track,"Lake Tota", reflects the magic of its namesake with blissful melodies and delicate sonic architecture.

“It's a majestic part of the country, the way the light goes through the trees and reflects on the water, and the sunsets and sunrises, it all just felt different. I couldn't put my finger on why. It very much inspired the song because I was so drawn to the way the light was.”

The title track, "All These Kinds Of Light", is a cinematic masterpiece where sound and emotion wash over one another, with Hayden's voice echoing in a luminous glow.

“It feels like the summary of the EP, The track celebrates the wonder of light.”

Another standout, "As Above, So Below", combines glitchy synths, bold drums, piano, and a heavenly hook:

“I can always feel the thunder, the rain, the storm, the lightning after.”

Hayden reveals

“Lyrically, it follows my spiritual journey. I'm converting from this very science-backed brain to quite the opposite and becoming a believer in magical things. I’m not just relying on physics to explain it all. It's all about how adopting this new perspective has shaped the way I’m thinking.”

The instrumental piece "La Peña de Juaica" conjures the spirit of yet another Colombian locale through flute and strings.

“It’s another mountain range that’s very close to Majuy, it mirrors the physical experience of visiting the area.”

In the end, the light in Hayden’s music is as bright as ever.

“This was a very different experience from my other work, I’m just excited to see what is going to inspire the next bunch of music. In 2024, I’m a little bit more developed, wise, and open to magic.”