Hers cool with you review năm 2024

Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading serve up a setlist split across their two albums, delivered with heart and low-key affability

★★★

| 20 Feb 2019

Into a fairly straightforward set of pre-gig, livening-up-the-crowd tunes comes the familiar sound of The Everly Brothers' All I Have To Do Is Dream. Still sounding like something beamed in from some other less troubled planet, it completely shifts the mood from lively to a kind of subdued melancholy. It’s into this bizarre atmosphere that the duo (or trio if you count the life-size cut-out Pierce Brosnan that stands at the back of proceedings like a disapproving uncle throughout) that make up Her’s stroll on stage. As the music fades down they continue the song on just bass and vocals, emotionally pitch perfect, capturing the weary romanticism of the original in a fitting tribute to the forefathers of their own woozy lovesick sound.

It’s the kind of sparkly, wide-eyed sound that relies heavily on the hushed proximity that recording allows and as such can sound lightweight when put into a live setting. However, Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading have clearly taken great care with the production on their pre-recorded drums, which are more akin to boom bap instrumentals, meaning any potential for the music to sound feeble is blown through the wall.

Tonight's set is pretty equally split between their pair of really rather lovely albums, 2017's Songs of Her’s and last year’s Invitation to Her’s, with newer songs getting as reverential a response tonight as older favourites. In fact it's Invitation single Low Beam that proves to be an early set highlight, a pure-hearted piece of pop sweetness that is the perfect vehicle for Fitzpatrick’s versatile voice which slides between a low insouciant purr and a Prince-like yelp without ever feeling like it pulls focus from the song's emotional core.

Not everything connects to this extent. R'n'B slow jam-indebted crowd favourite Cool With You overstays its welcome, losing the intimacy its instrumental outro requires somewhere in Band on the Wall’s high ceilings. However, it is something to be said for the sheer affability of the duo and their sound that, as a band with a very defined sonic palette, they never bore. Laading’s bass is giddy enough to enliven any moment and Fitzpatrick’s alternating swooning chords and spindly lead lines carry enough sheer heart that the duo never feel like they aren’t wholly committed.

Fittingly it’s the closer, the low energy pop triumph I’ll Try that is the night’s high point. Over a clattering drum pattern and Laading’s bass at its fidgety best, Fitzpatrick sings a vocal melody of overwhelming, bulletproof sweetness. It’s so good that it's in danger of making the encore feel like a waste of time, with the two songs that follow paling into nothing by proximity. Thankfully final song of the night Speed Racer stampedes in, all The Smiths in rockabilly mode, and ends the set in a warm and joyful place.

Dedicated to the classic James Stewart film of the same name, it talks about a friendship with a 6’ 31Ž2” tall invisible rabbit. People obviously find it hard to believe Jimmy’s tale, and doubt his sanity, but he still persists with the friendship because it’s special to him, which we find kind of endearing.

Mannie’s Smile

This one is an ode to Ste’s old cat Mannie. He had be to given away after Ste left for uni. Its basically a heartfelt tribute and apology to a super nice cat who was sad to be given away.

If You Know What’s Right

The message that we tried to put across in this one is about not growing old too fast. You can easily make a lot of major life decisions in your 20s which is absolutely fine, it’s just important to hold on to your dreams and aspirations, don’t be hasty!

Carry The Doubt

This is one of two tracks that explore identity (also see Under Wraps). This is the more ambiguous of the two, but it generally poses a situation of changing identity and the misunderstandings between generations.

Low Beam

Is about a lone wolf biker who finds it hard to relate to the gangs in town. It can be a struggle to find a place in society’s pre existing notions of what a person should be and act like. Think James in Twin Peaks spilling his gut and crying in the woods.

Breathing Easy

A song for when suffocating changes enter your life. Things seem like they can’t be the same they were, but you’ll find a time when it seems easier to accept that.

"Things seem like they can’t be the same they were, but you’ll find a time when it seems easier to accept that."

Blue Lips

Inspired by the works of The Beatles, Beach Boys, Harry Nilsson and Van Dyke Parks, its a stab at the classic quircky 60’s ballad style. We all know somebody with icy cold blood so the song explores a few different chilly characters.

She Needs Him

Taking on the character of a naive teen who’s troubled by matter of the heart, losing out on budding love before it’s had a chance to bloom. One for the edgy and anxious teens and their heart throbs.

Love on the Line (Call Now)

Describes a sex line romance of yonder years. The protagonist falls head over heels for the voice on the other end of the line, so he holds up next to the phone waiting for her to return his affection.

Don’t Think It Over

Advice for when your mate’s stuck in a ponderous state, worrying about things that are out of his/her hands or probably just made up. You’ll always be alright when it comes down to it.

Under Wraps

Meant to comfort your loved ones who are going through change and uncertainty in their lives. It’s an offer of reassurance and support.

What genre is hers?

Alternative/Indie

What kind of band is TV Girl?

TV Girl - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org › wiki › TV_Girlnull