It's been a huge couple of years for Way Dynamic, the Melbourne multi-instrumentalist whose real name is Dylan Young. His 2025 album Massive Shoe is about to be re-released internationally after Young signed with the indie giant Jagjaguwar. The likes of Elton John, Djo, Zane Lowe and Elijah Wood have sung his praises. Last year he opened for Black Country New Road, Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman on their Australian tours. With a warm analogue crackle and subtle yet lush layers, gentle vocals and pensive lyricism, Way Dynamic's thoughtful, sunny folk is both contemporary and timeless. It is not hard to understand his success.

The 30-year-old has been on the road for much of the last year, with Way Dynamic playing their first headline shows in the US and Europe, many of which sold out. When we meet at a cafe in inner-north Melbourne on a midweek morning, Young is briefly back in town before jetting off again for another European run, including summer festivals.

Has all this attention and traction been gradual or has it all happened at once? "Just gradual enough that I've not gone crazy," he says with a wry smile. "It is an adjustment, and it's been work to not go crazy … all of that exciting, bigger-scope stuff feels fun and adventurous rather than nerve-wracking, if I'm just making sure I'm doing it for me and my friends."

Those human connections are at the heart of his career. Born and raised in the regional Victorian city of Ballarat, Young began learning guitar at the age of eight. Influenced by music he discovered via Rage, he started playing in bands as a teenager. In 2014 his high school band, Bel Air, won a regional competition to perform at Laneway festival. "That helped me know that I wanted to keep doing it, because of how it felt to make music with your friends," he says.

At 18, Young moved to Melbourne and began to make connections in the local scene. Over the years he's played in bands including Good Morning, Snowy Band and Cool Sounds, and has been a live and session drummer for the likes of Darren Hanlon and Kankawa Nagarra.

Way Dynamic's live setup features members from many of these bands. "We all have similar approaches to our projects where it's one person's thing a lot of the time, and we know how to give and take," he says. "They're invaluable to how everything comes together and sounds …

"I probably decided to start being friends with all of these people because I think they're incredible creatively, and I've been very lucky to find out that they're also the nicest people I know."

In his early 20s, through "the school of YouTube", Young discovered the musical worlds which would shape Way Dynamic: jazz, bossa nova, "more densely arranged things"; his first album under the moniker was released in 2022. Young's melting harmonies recall the Beach Boys and the Beatles, and his soft vocals and contemplative lyrics draw comparisons to Nick Drake, though he admits he doesn't know much of Drake's music.

It's the intimacy of the past, rather than any particular aural aesthetic, that Young is chasing. "It's not necessarily the sounds of those records that have inspired me, but more what the technological limitations of that time forced music to be like," he says.

"The immediacy and reliance on playing instruments and a certain rawness was integral to that time … I try to work to take and not belabour any takes and let mistakes breathe in the music, and I think that does lend to that sound."

These songs traverse the landscape of modern existence, contemplating life and love: what it means to settle down, how it feels to fall in love. But Young's lyrics are also often cryptic, lending an air of mystery: "I'm starting to find how it is I like to communicate music, which is to be very specific, but also vague and broad enough at the same time that people can project what they want onto the music as well."

The growth of the project has also been about relinquishing control and embracing unknowns. All three Way Dynamic albums have been co-produced with Stefan Blair of Good Morning, whose creative input Young describes as "essential".

"For the longest time, I was doing everything by myself, and I was finding that was getting me the closest to what I wanted," he says. "From watching how [Blair] works, I've learned that allowing some chaos and spontaneity into the process is hugely beneficial. It keeps the music alive and interesting, not contrived."

It's full steam ahead for Way Dynamic: Young is already at work on his next album, and will tour the US and Canada in early 2027. With many Australian musicians moving over the pond to Europe or the US once they find international success, does he see an overseas move on the cards?

"It does tempt me sometimes but I'm really happy here," he says. "I love the Melbourne music community – I feel like it's a really nurturing place to live for that. I think I'll be visiting overseas a lot but I think I can almost definitely see myself staying here."

Way Dynamic's songs to live by

Each month we ask our headline act to share the songs that have accompanied them through love, life, lust and death.

What was the best year for music, and what five songs prove it?

Maybe 1966? Or thereabouts. Some albums: Pet Sounds – Beach Boys, Blonde on Blonde – Bob Dylan, Revolver – the Beatles, Speak No Evil – Wayne Shorter, Face to Face – the Kinks.

What music do you clean the house to?

Phone – Preet Brar feauring Miss Pooja. It's like a shot of adrenaline to the heart when I hear Preet.

What is the last song you sang in the shower?

Sabre Dance – Aram Khachaturian. I needed to be out the door in five.

Which song have you listened to the most times this year?

Baby Love Child – Pizzicato Five. I'm addicted. Feels like my hand being held.

What is your go-to karaoke song?

Prisencolinensinainciusol – Adriano Celentano. Such beautiful lyrics, always gets everyone singing along.

What's a song you can never listen to again?

Dancing Queen – Abba. I think it's genius. But it's so melodically beautiful that it makes me cry every time I try to sing along.

What classic song should be stripped of its title?

We Will Rock You – Queen. The origin of stomp-clap music.

What is a song you loved as a teenager?

In Too Deep – Sum 41. Hooks for days. Also, relatable – I sometimes got angry at society too.

What is the first song/album you bought?

Jet – Get Born, at the Sanity in Bridge Mall, Ballarat. And that I did. I got born into a world full of big black boots and long brown hair. Soon enough I was rolling over DJ, and looking at what I'd done.

What is the best song to have sex to?

I'll let you know when I try it.