by Zach Zollo (@zach_zollo)
Have you ever struggled with your inner voice? Have you failed to be gentle with yourself, cursing your name with vitriolic language? The kind that makes you utter to yourself, “boy, you’re a fuckhead.” It’s difficult to articulate that inner spite in confidence to someone else when you feel it as bluntly as you do. On their self-titled, debut full-length, Parisian rock band Hoorsees find a compelling way of expressing powerful sentiment through lyrical simplicity. They also carve a niche slice of indie rock in the style of early ‘10s cult greats, advancing the sound for the coming 20s.
When listening to this record, WU LYF immediately comes to mind, as do Tough Knuckles, boyscott, even a sprinkling of Pure X. It’s fair to call Dehd this band’s closest contemporary, as both groups revel in reverb and a shining guitar tone mixed to the front, but Hoorsees strike a more intricate balance on each and every song. The music is mid-tempo and patient, but carries purpose and a nostalgic sense of comfort. The resulting mood - not quite melancholy, not quite meditative - places the listener in a pensive state of thought, the perfect vessel for frontman Alexin Huysmans to open up to us when important, addressing us when needed.
From a lyrical and structural standpoint, the songs provide no more, no less than what’s needed to make their emotional impact. “Overdry” opens the album with soaring riffs and glimmering spirit, before Huysmans sings “I’m feeling so overdry now,” confessing to being exhausted beyond capability. “Pitfall” begins with a blistering synth and guitar lead that sparkles, a brilliant way to begin a song about boredom and the spiraling it induces. Huysmans is candid in conveying the storm in his head, but he also finds moments to reassure himself with a slightly tethered confidence. This is the case with album highlight “Instant Tea,” where the refrain of “nothin’s gonna go wrong” breaks into a chorus backed by a scream akin to Cloud Nothings or Barret-era Pink Floyd.
Perhaps album single “Get Tired” is the best example for who Hoorsees are. Beginning with a reverb-kissed riff, the rhythm section kicks into a persuasive but tranquil groove. As Huysmans sings “Once again, you feel the pain/But you told yourself you should be brave,” the chorus jumps out at the listener with the help of the guitar’s gain: “get tired.” Soft dynamic shifts and prolonged, melodic “oohs” add muscle to the longing in the lyrics, which make clear that “getting tired” is a way to retreat away from raw pain. It’s a slacker pop anthem, an indie rock #banger, something both necessary and essential.
Throughout the thirty-eight minutes of this LP, Hoorsees leave a lasting impression, bridging the gap between summer car-rides and late night anxiety with expertise. While Huysmans’ voice as a writer reflects personal dejection, it’s channeled graciously - a willing offering of one’s point of view. It also seems to serve a greater purpose: to resonate with all those who struggle for peace within themselves. It doesn’t mean it can fix what’s going on - but it’s here, like all great indie rock, to let you know you’re not alone.