Every song has a meaning. Whether the message is emotional, informative or a form of advocacy, music is a powerful way to communicate. Indie rock duo The Flying Hasselhoffs know this well, as each track on their latest EP is packed with powerful lyrics backed up by hard rockin’ jams and unforgettable guitar licks.
“The Last Word” kicks the album off and rocks hard from the top with a wailing guitar riff that bursts onto the scene with gusto. The hard-rock sound never escapes the track, with grinding guitars and pounding drums that pop with the pulse of the song. It’s enough to get your head bobbing to the beat. The bassline that slithers underneath the loudness of the drums and guitar gives the track a palpable depth, whose bouncy groove is enough to get lost in when you hear it. The vocals are grungy and don’t get in the way of the hard rockin’ power of the instrumentals, but deliver some biting lyrics for anyone paying attention. Lines such as “The words you’re saying simply are not making any sense. The games you’re playing, lines are crossing are evil, wicked and intense” are venomous upon hearing them but are vindicated during the triumphant chorus. It makes “The Last Word” a satisfying listen alongside some high-octane rock riffs.
With a quick drum beat to grab your ears, “Pieces” jumps right into its wailing guitars. The sunny riffs compliment the pop of the drum beat while the stringy strumming struts across the track. The duo’s vocals stand front and center on this track and while the instrumentals may be upbeat and sunny from the top, but the lyrics that come from unfiltered vocals are packed with emotion. The track sets you up for the feeling when the guitars get heavy after the line “this is not the way I planned it. Far from the tree is where I landed.” This line and the catchy chorus hit hard when you hear them and paint a picture of the heartache that comes with a love lost. These feelings are most felt during the refrain at the outro, “take another little piece of my heart and smash it to the ground. Take a little more love away from me.” It makes “Pieces” a track that you won’t want to miss.
“The One” hits you right away with a memorable, wailing guitar riff that becomes the signature sound of the track. It’s supported by an excellent drum beat and bassline that lets the free-wheeling guitars rock out while they dance with The Flying Hasselhoff’s vocals. While the duo’s singing has its signature old-school rock vibe that makes each track on this EP absolutely magnetic, it’s the guitars that makes the emotional punches in the lyrics hit home. With each chorus, the guitar is right there to follow it up each time with those high-flying guitar riffs. It gives “The One” a unique personality that is also a fantastic display of musicianship from the duo that lets the music show you how deep these emotions run.
“Life Is Beautiful” immediately grabs your attention with a brief but epic intro that moves into the track in a buttery smooth way. All at once, the duo moves into an upbeat groove that’s hard to not move to, with infectious riffs and poppin’ drums that speak to different parts of the body to get it moving. A playful bassline grooves underneath, staying subtle enough to let the drums and guitars take the instrumental spotlight but lays down a groove that anyone can get lost in on its own. While the instrumental is high-energy and easy to move to, the powerful vocals from the duo hold some powerful lines such as “I see and hear you speaking on my tiny little screen. I can’t reach in and pull you out so I can feel you next to me.” These lines hit hard and are packed with emotional weight to tell a heartfelt story of longing that could easily be lost in the high energy of the instrumentals. The guitar solo around the 2-minute mark being an absolute show stealer and the face-melting riffs are absolutely mind-blowing and lead into the outro as smooth as the intro led into the track. “Life Is Beautiful” is a stand-out track on this EP and is the one everyone should listen to.
The Flying Hasselhoffs’ latest EP is one to remember. It takes you on a high-octane ride strapped in by guitar strings that never stop singing the catchiest chords. These compliment the powerful lyrics that the duo proudly sings with power and gusto to make each track feel like you can always get more out of another listen. With a powerful and magnetic sound that’s hard to not play over and over, you’re missing out if this EP passes you by. Especially if you’re a rock fan.
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