Tyler Horn - Collars EP

Tyler Horn

Collars EP
self-released; 2016

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen
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Tyler Horn is an artist from Los Angeles who recently released Collars EP. Horn is off to a solid start with this EP which showcases an eclectic mix of styles. The songwriting is top notch and it doesn't take long to realize that. Production-wise the EP sounds good and the songs certainly shine through. That being said I would have loved to have heard these songs in hi-fidelity. Something about the layers of sounds combining with the style in which he writes seemed to beg for high production value. 

He opens with “Matter Of Time” which has an avant-garde ’50’s rock flavor to it. The vocal melody, bass and guitar sound like they could be played at a prom back in the ’50’s but the disjointed percussive elements combines with rising waves of white noise make for something unique. The lyrics are ambiguous and interpretative as he sings, “My oh my, what a confident bird / My heads in the sky, I've got nothing to learn / And it's only matter of time, it's only a matter of time / Before my friends are strangers, I'm all alone.” Overall, it’s a great song that benefits from a well delivered vocal performance. 

“Lyla” has hints of bands like Mac Demarco and The Shins. Horn adds a build that sounds like something you would have heard from The Beatles when they were singing Twist and Shout. It’s a solid song. I would have liked to hear the vocals be a bit more prominent in the mix. 

“Collars” has a similar Mac Demarco vibe with hints of jazz. The song features a pleasant array of sounds including some whistling, modulated guitar and what sounds like a stand up bass. As the song progresses it gains some energy and proves to be the arguable highlight amongst the batch. It also contains lyrics which are original and can also be quite humorous. “I look good in collars, at least that's what I'm told” is a damn good line.

“Good With Words” strips back to guitar and vocals. It’s another success for Horn displaying his talent especially his guitar picking skill. There's a bluesy old ragtime feel to his guitar playing.  

Collars is slightly scattered conceptually but makes up for it in superb songwriting. I'd like to think this is just the beginning for Horn because there are some original ideas in these songs.

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