EP
Thyla
What’s On Your Mind
February 1 2019 (REX Records)
8/10
Words: Steve Willcox
Brighton’s very own wonder group, Thyla, smash in the new year with their debut EP ‘What’s On Your Mind’ that reinforces the belief many have had in them from their live shows.
Opening track ‘Only Ever’ leads us down a synth path with U2 stadium guitars edging into a blossoming riff. Millie Duthie’s voice has a floaty dreamlike quality to it as the song touches on the feelings we can relate to when we’ve given all that we can to a relationship that’s failed.
From the start, the upbeat melodics and grungey-rock refrain of ‘Blue’ rips into some heavy beats and with guitar riffs circling around makes this a special all-encompassing track. Again, Millie’s vocals cut just the right edge, with guitars that get heavier as the song concludes. ‘Bitter’ is a slight departure from the Thyla style with basic chords and melody throughout, but this time bassist Dan Hole takes the lead on vocal duties. This may take a few hearings to ‘get it’, but with a great chorus and good use of synths halfway, it comes into its own.
Last year's release ‘Candy’ is here with its acoustic start and haunting guitar riffs. Millie’s headspace is swimming with mixed up thoughts as she takes stock: “My teeth fall out in my dreams / what does it mean? / Like meat they smell, they rot in my mouth / what does it feel like?” The song gradually increases in pace and volume till it’s climatic end. Elsewhere, ‘Better Me’ shows vocal vulnerability in a song about finding strength through life’s troubles. Beginning on slow, steady guitars which introduces falsetto vocals along with some heavier riffs that go hand in hand with its content. Lyrics “Coz there’s no holy water / no best way to be a daughter / a friend” bring depth and emotion to its haunting end.
An EP full of heart and a smörgåsbord of musical styles.
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