2/3, not bad.
The triple EP of Austin alt band HeadShy is meant to hit the listener like a perfume: playing upon three different parts of our senses, the first impression, the theme, and the trail, or The Head Chord, The Heart Chord, and The Base Chord. The three EP’s are certainly distinct, but don’t necessarily fit together the way that was anticipated. The first EP, the Head Chord, fills its roll as a first impression- strong melodies, a little bit of 60’s psych, and even a touch of soul in Requiem for the Living. The Heart EP is much more eerie, but not in an intriguing way like Youth Lagoon. Stripped down, beat driven, and kind of uncomfortable, but still worth a listen, especially “Coma.” But The Base EP leaves somewhat of a weird aftertaste- “The Light that Guides the Blind” and “Perfect” serve as palatable bookends for an otherwise balladesque group of self indulgent tunes. While the idea is interesting, HeadShy had a lot of refining to do before releasing this trifecta as a coherent body.
Recommended: 1-5, 9
RIYL: The Beatles, Spiritualized, Neil Young, Portishead (these are a stretch)