Artist: Greyjoy
Album: Greyjoy EP
Genre: Synth/Dream Pop
RIYL: Grouplove, Phoenix, The Escape Frame

The Greyjoys may not be the most likeable family in the deadly universe created by George R. R. Martin, but Balon and the rest of his Iron Islands House have influenced one band from Perth that, despite the Greyjoy house motto, have sowed their sounds worldwide, and we’re reaping all 1,252 seconds of enjoyment from the creations found on their self-titled EP.

Comprised of 5 tracks propelled by powerful, shimmering synths like the musical equivalent of the Greyjoys’ golden kraken sigil, this Aussie outfit has crafted a 21-minute release that perfectly accentuates the middle of Summer and makes you feel like Winter is never coming. This brief soundtrack for the year’s hottest months boasts funky bass-lines, beautiful dual melodies, and infectious hooks and choruses that’ll guide you on an excursion through the clouds.

Karlin Courtney, the driving force behind all things Greyjoy, who also named his cat Theon, has spearheaded one hell of a dream pop extended play as any one of the five tracks are potential hits –- they just need to find a bigger audience to enjoy them, which I’m certain they will in due time. While previous singles, “Strangers” and “Idle Thoughts,” have already garnered some attention by premiering on major sites, “Distance” and “Amygdala” are my two favorite efforts of the five compiled here. The former of which will easily please any fan of a band like Phoenix with the aforementioned airy synthwork and Courtney’s alluringly happy and soothing vocal contributions.

“Emerald” being the EP’s closer is a slow-tempo dream pop piece in which the first line is even, “Everything, it moves so slow, but you could never tell.” It sounds as though some of the synth production is actually in reverse which helps push the almost eerie Twin Peaks-like vibe of the track. “Emerald” is an excellent closer but my only issue is that I wish it played out much longer. While it’s already over 4 and a half minutes in length and ends on a decent note, I would have liked for it to drag and fade out as opposed to the abrupt ending the band decided upon. This is a small preference nit-pick, however, and really doesn’t deter from the quality that the track actually contains.

Greyjoy, while already having originally grabbed my attention with their fantasy-laden handle, have amassed 5 of their best efforts to release one of the most consistently impressive and enjoyable EPs of 2013. While their music’s most certainly too futuristic to be played by any musicians in the seven kingdoms of Westeros, Greyjoy’s synthy pop medleys can be enjoyed by the world over in this day and age. Unlike the “Red Wedding” which made me weep like a coward, this EP will likely leave you smiling excessively like Theon…before he got what was coming to him.

SCORE: 9/10
Review written by: Brian Lion – Follow him on Twitter

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Brian Leak

Editor-In-Chief. King of forgetting drinks in the freezer. Pop culture pack rat. X-Phile. LOST apologist.

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