More about: HANYA

Brighton shoegazers HANYA are making waves with their latest EP. 100 Metre Sprint is a fantastic dream-pop record, ethereal in its sound.

Opener 'Fortunes' is a track so dreamy you can feel yourself getting lost in this EP before it has even begun: groovy bass and subdued drums mix beautifully with Heather Sheret’s soaring vocal before a wonderfully '70s-sounding guitar solo kicks in. HANYA set their stall out early: this is to be a collection of songs with unmatchable dreamy energy. 

'Lydia' is another shining example of superbly-produced indie pop. Here especially is a sense of deep melancholy and self reflection: its a cut that would fit perfectly on the soundtrack of a lovesick indie film.

'Houseplants' grooves like late-era Tame Impala, the rhythm section combining to sound like something from The Slow Rush. Distant keys and falsetto really add to this narrative, with HANYA creating a beautifully fuzzy, '70s-style soundscape. This is partly due to HANYA’s clear tallent and songwriting skill, but the production throughout 100 Metre Sprint is immaculate too.

The well-established pattern remains throughout the rest of this EP: 'Logan’s Run', the lead single, is a somewhat more upbeat cut but the unshakable groove is present throughout. There are many bands that attempt this rich, honey-glazed indie pop sound, but I can’t think of anyone who pulls it off in such style.  

'Swim In My Sleep' and 'Texas' are two more cuts that play out as expected: HANYA stick to their sound throughout 100 Metre Sprint, but they are able to sound fresh and interesting throughout. There isn’t a single instance of repetition or any creeping boredom here, HANYA are a band with massive potential, and someone who I would love to hear a full studio album from.

We close out on 'Monochrome', the highlight of the record. HANYA play with all the dreaminess and pop sensibility of someone like Girl Ray, but they are able to mix this wonderfully with an undeniably sexy '70s sound, creating intriguing and introspective tracks that are nothing short of a delight. 

100 Metre Sprint is out now.

More about: HANYA