Single Review: Happy Hollows - Maybe the World is Ending.
Cast your minds back to 2005. Some of you would have been downloading a different polyphonic ringtone each week, some trawling P2P sites trying to get a decent rip of Bloc Party's 'Silent Alarm' and others would have been looking for new bands on MySpace - I was probably guilty of all of those things.
For those of you young enough to be unaware of MySpace and it's effect in the post-Napster filesharing landscape, it was a game changer for a few years. Bands could create their own profile, share MP3s and could be easily searched on an accessible database. In the UK, Bands like The Arctic Monkeys went on to huge global fame on the back of their pre-fame E.P trending on the site.
Another band who formed and utilised this platform to forge a modest career were L.A's Happy Hollows; who continue to produce new material after all these years. They've previously toured with the likes of Deerhoof, Japandroids and The Besnard Lakes and they're back with new single 'Maybe the World is Ending'.
Scott Munro
Fronted by the eccentric and charismatic guitarist Sarah Negahdari, the band are completed by multi-instrumentalist Charlie Mahoney and another talented guitarist in Scott Munro; who originally hails from Northern Ireland.
Starting with a wonderfully 80s sounding keyboard tone, the song builds around this and the delicate vocals of Negahdari - who seems deep in conversation with a partner.
Try to understand my point of view is the opening plea suggesting some form of disagreement. It's apparent the picture is bigger when she laments that They don't know how I try - perhaps indicating a frustration with outside forces that can't be controlled.
The backing rises up a notch with Phil Spector style percussion entering into the mix and a discordant guitar punctuating the point; it's a sign of real intent. The effect is a minimalist take on a 60s girl group ballad which reminds of 'Just Like Honey' by The Jesus and Mary Chain.
Lyrically it comes together and implies a 'you and me against the world' moment; or rather, 'in spite of the world'. They'll never understand me the way that you can is a vindication of this and the classic notion of the star-crossed lovers who need each other to cut through what the rest of the world inflicts on them.
There is still time after a second run of the chorus for a shift in dynamics. Negahdari harmonises with herself producing a great effect of a mini choir over a sublime synth track - before fading into the closing throes of the track.
The overall feel of 'Maybe the World is Ending' is a culmination of Happy Hollows' evolution in sound over the last few years - from a Breeders/Pixies/Deerhoof style hybrid into a more classic leftfield pop act. It could just be the start of something truly special.
The song is available to stream on all major platforms and a video has uploaded to support the release - see it below.
Comments
Post a Comment