A spooky fuzzed-out organ gives way to a big shoegaze beat. Guitars start scratching their way out of a flooded basement. Vocals slide in from nowhere sounding like Craig Nicholls fresh from the pharmacy. The opening track of Hyla’s EP is on its way into the sonic wilderness, and I can’t help but get dragged along.
‘Sides’ is the first song on the debut release from one of the few Perth bands these days claiming no relationship to the Tame Impala juggernaut. I mean, I love Pond, Mink Mussel Creek, Gum, Shiny Joe Ryan, The Growl et al., but it’s refreshing to hear something that’s coming from a different side of town.
This is lo-fi and scuzzy; psychedelic in the comedown way, not the euphoric Impala brand way.
The three-track EP is rounded out by ‘Remedy’ and ‘To Safety Or Ruin’; the former sounding like Black Angels jamming with Black Rebel, the latter like someone got hold of some ’90s shoegaze cuts and remixed them with a head full of Xanax.
It’s good stuff. I’m looking forward to their double A-side vinyl due out later in the year.
4/5.
Hyla is out now through Independent / Bandcamp.
