HYRS - Rented Space EP

HYRS

Rented Space EP
self-released; 2016

3.9 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

HYRS is the duo of Holly Younger and Ross Simpson. The Australian duo recently released Rented Space which is a four-song EP. 

Right upon listening I knew I was in for an EP with top notch production. It’s the little things like reverb tails and accents that separate the pros from the amateurs. The attention to detail is impressive as is the songwriting.

Younger is the singer of the group. She has a great voice. There is just no about that. That being said it fits a style that I’ve seen more and more over the last five years. This isn’t of female rock singers like Patti Smith. She has a breathy, pixieish type voice you see creeping up in a lot of synth pop groups. You can hear a similar singing style by a group like CHVRCHES or the lesser know Wabi-Sabi. I’m just a tad worried about this type of singing becoming to ubiquitous and groups like this dissipating into the ether because of the overstruartion.

Younger is more than a voice. She also has a hand in songwriting while Simpson handles the drums and bass. Technically this is a duo but from the myriad of instrumentation that might as well be a four-piece or five-piece. It’s marginal because the songs are thick with instrumentation and elements. Synths, guitars, bass, drums.

Up first is “Inside Upside Down” which is just a catchy song with inventive twists and turns around every corner. The song at its most explosive could be compared to a group like Passion PIt. I have to say the drums sound huge on this song. Great mix.

“Torrents” while coming  from the cloth showcase different elements. I thought the acoustic guitar riff was unique. Younger had no problem finding a catchy vocal melody. The song gets into atmospheric and epic territory. The lyrics were ambiguous and original. On the chorus she sings “We’re thrown to the wild torrents.”

The band had more success on “Crystal Ball” which may be the most single worthy It catchy especially the lines “But our hearts were changing shape / And I'm not the only one to blame." They close with “Got Me Good” which is another song they can have in the win column. Catchy, great production and electric guitar. 

​No doubt HYRS has what its takes to gain a large fanbase. This is a great foundation for them to build off. Recommended.

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