Who Should Buy This: Alternative music fans, introspective people, and those who believe in questioning everything.
Album: Hide in the Ocean (EP)
Artist: HAWAI
Genre: alternative, indie, pop
Music Rating: 9/10
Lyrics Rating: 9/10
Overall: 9/10
Sounds Like: Atlas Genius, Colony House, Echosmith
Best thing About this Album: The depth and dimensional richness of both musical structure and lyrical themes.
One thing I wish was different: It was probably a touch synth-heavy to my taste, but I felt that every sound was placed with purpose, so I really appreciate the all artistic decisions — even the ones I personally didn’t agree with. This EP is really well-written and produced with care and respect for the craft.
Website: HAWAI
Tracks: 5
Favorites: I’m Not Dead, Alive, Who Am I
This is a playlist of all of the songs from the album that will automatically play through the whole album. To skip to a particular song, click on the menu icon in the upper left-hand corner.
HAWAI (pronounced “huh-why”) dropped their sophomore EP last month, and it delivers on everything you were hoping for in alternative music, from catchy, shimmering synths to deep, introspective questions. As a follow-up to their 2016 EP, Hide in the Ocean feels more complex in its musical layering and has a more distinctive sense of self (which is perchance ironic, given the thematic exploration in this EP of questioning identity and reality).
The slight musical nods at stylistic shoegazing music mirror brilliantly the celebration of ambiguity, diving into the abyss of the unknown with well-placed glimmers of guitar and concrete percussion driving the sound forward, guiding the listener through the journey of exploration and discovery.
Here are some of my favorite lines from each track to give you a better lyrical sample of the whole EP. Take a look and then take a listen!
“Come with me to the ocean. Let’s hide in the ocean.” — I’m Not Dead
“I am found on the ground. Hear the sound of your heart breaking.” — Circle K (Back to You)
“I want to leave it at the door, ’cause I don’t want to feel anymore.” — Alive
“Who am I when I’m lonely? What am I if I’m only hiding from myself?” — Who Am I
“When will we decide if this is all a lie, and there is nothing left to try? — Think About It
That’s it. If you loved these songs as much as I did, please consider supporting HAWAI by purchasing the album from their website or on your favorite digital music store (iTunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Amazon, etc.)
And holler at me in the comments! I’d love to talk to you all about this album.
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