EP review by Charlotte Poynton
Though I love and cherish our Meanjin musicians dearly, it’s no secret that some of the best and brightest new voices are emerging from the woodwork of Naarm’s scene. Indie-pop darling Holly Hebe is no exception to this, with her sophomore EP Ruby hitting our playlists today after her stunning performances at this year’s BIGSOUND. With this EP named after her pet dog Ruby, Holly Hebe captures the complexities and cathartic moments intertwined in growing up with these six songs, guaranteed to evoke laughter, tears, and all in-between.
Out of the Blue – Kicking off the EP with a delightfully laid-back pop energy in ‘Out of the Blue’, Hebe sings of writing “heart-break songs about boys like you”. Channelling nostalgic high school vibes, Holly Hebe’s confessionally raw lyrics and charming image position her as one of the most exciting new discoveries in the niche of cozy bedroom pop. Perfect for fans of Clairo, people with countless Pinterest boards, and a matching hair ribbon for every outfit, this track is one to soundtrack both your everyday and your movie montage moments.
Bottle Blonde – A song that feels like a heartfelt letter to the coming-of-age years is track two of ‘Bottle Blonde’. This song may just have to take the crown as my favourite song of the past month, with a chorus full of lyrical phrases that romanticise life’s hardships. A sonic dreamscape, ‘Bottle Blonde’ is versatile as both a soft-pink toned pop song and a hard-hitting anthem for anyone who feels like they are keeping up disguises in our fast-moving society. As I listen along with my box-dyed hair that I definitely overdid, I can’t help but feel ‘Bottle Blonde’ is a warm hug and a voice validating my concerns, with Hebe’s melodic vocals creating a safe space for any emotions you may be experiencing at a given time.
Bobble Head (Interlude) – ‘Bobble Head (Interlude)’ features an honest diary entry of Hebe’s, recited by a chorus of echoing vocals. Singing of an unrequited, one-sided love, Holly Hebe confesses the insurmountable weight of not being able to “be that person” for someone so dear. This interlude fades seamlessly into the following track of ‘Give Up The Fight’, as if an excerpt containing all the thoughts she couldn’t say in the following song.
Give Up The Fight – Singing of the fragility of relationships when swept up in the whirlwind of time, Holly Hebe’s ‘Give Up The Fight’ feels like the shaky breath before tears begin to roll down your face. The question of “How can I hold on to something bound to disappear?” is one that everyone ponders over at one point or another, and Hebe was able to capture that fear eloquently with light-hearted metaphors, including “You’re a sweet little party pill, and I’m a cop to kill the fun”.
Hat Hair – Switching gears with ‘Hat Hair’, we hear of an instant and world-altering crush. Perhaps a uniquely Australian experience to have a crush on someone with “hat hair, a cigarette in his hand, and a safety pin holding up his cargo pants”, Holly Hebe taps into the universal feeling of a fleeting love-at-first-sight moment with this wholesome track. Playing into the girl-next-door narrative, Hebe utilises visual imagery to convey her love story narrative, before wrapping it up nicely with a bow through the perfect pop production.
If You Were A Person (Ruby) – A song dedicated to the namesake of this EP, ‘If You Were A Person (Ruby)’ is Holly Hebe’s ode to her childhood dog, and about how they would “be best friends if she was a human”. ‘If You Were A Person (Ruby)’ had me in tears within the first minute, as Hebe has beautifully captured the essence of having a little four-legged friend with you through all of your life milestones but knowing that they won’t be there forever. No number of words could ever do this song justice, I can merely implore that everyone who grew up with their pet as their best friend needs to listen to this song and give their pets a big hug.
