Rudimentary

Hayden J Barlow

EP Review

Alternative Pop, in my own opinion, is one of those genre labels that much like ‘Indie Rock’ gets used a little too often to try and help a song stand out. Many times I’ve hit play on something labeled this way and the most alternative thing about it is that it uses a off beat during the chorus. However, every now and again an artist produces something that finds its way into my ears and that can truly be called Alternative. With his debut EP Hayden J Barlow has done just that. From start to finish this entire release is a piece of ear candy for anyone who wants to hear something worthy of the term Alternative.

My first taste of this EP was when Hayden dropped his first single ‘Al0ne’. That track alone, pardon the pun, was enough to cement for me Hayden’s intentions to be different. In that song he used unique sounds and sharp electronic elements to create a punchy and catchy release. He wasn’t afraid to experiment and truly marry his songs theme with the essence of the soundscape. After listening to the full EP this ethos hasn’t changed and if anything he has managed to take the whole thing to a bright new level.

From the moment you hit play on ‘Demoniac’ right up until the final note of ‘Wire’ stops echoing in your head Hayden showcases his raw and adventurous production. Whether its great use of a slight fuzz on his vocal, the rich use of synths to create an sound that wraps you up, or even the way in which he manages in the track ‘LCD’ to make you feel as though you are listening to a vocal trapped on a screen, Hayden allows his music to breathe. It’s almost as though you can hear the evolution of his creative process as you listen to each track. Every note, every sonic choice, it just works and shows the sort of potential Hayden has as he strives to create more of his own music.

Though I do enjoy all the tracks on this EP one that I’d like to highlight just for the pure creativeness of it is ‘01101100’. Though the track is literally 52 seconds long,  for me it is the greatest example of Haydens sonic intentions. While you could label the track as an acapella offering, the way in which Hayden coats his voice with an organ like synth and then delivers a refrain remoniscent of old school Blues and Soul inspiration it feels full, complete. In those brief seconds you really get a massive insight into Hayden’s intentions and potential for pushing the creative boundary.

Overall, when an artist drops a debut EP its fair to say that more often than not artists like to keep things simple, keep things safe. Well for Hayden J Barlow that was never a consideration and because of that he has created a very strong first offering for his future songwriting and production to build off. Don’t just take my word for it though, give Rudimentary a listen now and see if you agree with me….Go on, the links just down there…you know you want to.

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