Hyde Out - Smoke and Mirrors
London-based alt-pop duo Hyde Out have released their second album ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ last month, already gaining traction with their opening track, ‘Alive’ with an impressive 41K streams on Spotify alone…
Hyde Out - Smoke and Mirrors
Comprised of musicians Omar and Jaka, the pair have been working together since 2014. Individually working their musicianship around the globe, the two joined forces to establish what is Hyde Out.
‘Smoke and Mirrors’ sees a strong array of influence, from Spanish guitar solos to bouncy pop melodies to distorted guitar rock all the way to folk. Certain tracks from the album feel a little more experimental, seeing the pair branch out their musical ability and influence to create an alternative range of musicality throughout the album. For the most part, the direction and influence can be heard quite clearly, but the album too presents a few tracks with a joltier atmosphere where the direction seems a little blurrier than the rest.
‘Smoke and Mirrors’ introduces itself with ‘Alive’. ‘Alive’ is definitely a safe opener, with an acoustic Oasis-esk introduction that flips to see a noughties pop ballad influence in the chorus. The vocal melody in the chorus is simple and catchy, working effectively in making its mark. Though well composed and neat, the track overall feels like it lacks bit of flavour. As the album opener it’s slightly anti-climactic but is very much a safe, likeable option.
The album is a bit of a slow burner, with following tracks ‘Wide and Bright’ and ‘Move It Out’ sticking to safe, basic structures and sounds, but around the mid-section is where the album sees a turning point. ‘Ode to J’ feels like the band have written a song perfectly tailored to their sound. The vocals are yet to find a surge of power but they do flow a lot more confidently throughout this track. The influence within ‘Ode to J’ is slightly hazy but in a complimentary style. The alt-pop ballad incorporates radio-friendly pop melodies, ballady syncopation and a Spanish guitar solo in a alternative yet, well-executed blend.
‘Welcome’ incorporates stronger backing vocals and features a refreshing chordal pattern in the chorus. The vocal inflections in the verse can be slightly overkill at times but to see the texture and instrumentation develop into something thicker is a lot more engaging, with Hyde Out showing us what they’re really made out of.
The title track of the album ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ certainly ignites some of the albums experimental passion. Played in a 5/4 time-signature, the track doesn’t ever feel as if it doesn’t flow, or that it isn’t in a standardised signature. The composition incorporates the additional beats perfectly- the rhythm section throughout the verse is simple but seriously effective. Travelling into the chorus, the music feels trippier, with electronic effects morphing the vocals into something more exciting which certainly lives up to being the album’s title track.
The following tracks ‘Make My Day’, ‘Fluent in Silence’ and ‘Meadvale Road’ follow suit in keeping up the momentum of the album. ‘Make My Day’ sees the vocals explore a more powerful range, suiting both the vocalist’s tone and the darker aura of the rock-influenced track.
The atmosphere of ‘Island Sunshine’ completely contrasts the shadowy air of ‘Make My Day’. The influence of genre within the track is certainly extensive but works incredibly well, jumping from country rock, pop and Spanish guitar decorations. Blending these together has paid off in ‘Island Sunshine’ as it simultaneously feels unique yet safely familiar.
‘Derelict’ fills the gap between ‘Island Sunshine’ and the album’s final track, ‘This Looks Like’. As the closing track, it certainly leaves its mark but perhaps not in the most positive way. The inspiration behind the track is hard to decipher and feels completely out of place to the rest of the album. At times it feels like a stripped back Linkin Park track and then feels like glam rock has weaved its way into certain points. The song itself isn’t inherently unpleasant, but just feels like too much of a contrast for it to flow smoothly within the album.
Overall, Hyde Out have done well in producing a diverse, and mostly accessible album. Though the track listing could have been rearranged to generate excitement closer to the beginning of the album, ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ certainly reflect the duo in a flashy, creative light. Check it out below!
Stream/download ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ : https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/hydeout/smoke-and-mirrors
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMdUNzylhCTWfH0JVaEYg
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hydeoutband
Instagram: @hyde_out_band
Website: http://hydeoutband.com/