The new single from Medford trio Hey I’m Outside is a joyous, clattering, swaying thing that immediately draws you in. The first song from their upcoming (but as yet untitled) album, Frontyard is rich in frayed rusticity like the overgrown garden of its title.
Released into the world on 28th June, it’s a beauty and well worth getting to know a little better. The three piece (Hannah on bass, Noah drums, and Patrick on guitar and vocal duties) are a tight knit act that play off one another with freedom and confidence- and that voice at the song’s centre is a powerful thing indeed – a cracked, country-punk croak that’s rich in emotion – lending the simple, observational lyrics surprising depth. It’s also really well produced- especially those occasionally multi-tracked vocals- which are crisp and tight in the mix and gain in yelping urgency as things progress.
It starts off all laid-back strutting slacker acoustics – bass rumbling like a throbbing heart beneath it all- but becomes more expansive as it rumbles on its way. Cymbals are frothed thoroughly and those assorted guitars saw and sway- until the propulsive, twanging soloing begins at the song‘s distortion-heavy conclusion. Mastered by the ever-apposite Bennett Littlejohn, this is a potent stew of carefully captured songwriting, delivered with wit, wisdom and a willingness to see the beauty in things despite the weight of everything.
As the final line confirms: “…we try anyway.”
We’ve got to keep trying after all.
Written by M.A Welsh (Misophone)
Music | Misophone (bandcamp.com)
