Hey Marseilles: Hey Marseilles Review

By Ezlyh Gutierrez
Music Reviewer

Artist: Hey Marseilles
Album: Hey Marseilles
Label: Dine Alone Records
Release Date: February 6, 2016
Website: heymarseilles.com

Hey Marseilles is another baroque pop band. As a fan of chamber pop, I respect Matt Bishop’s ability to combined classical instruments with alternative rock to create a harmony that gives the listener a feel of what we call today, modern­ folk. This phrase I have just stated to you, however, can apply to any group of musicians that have the ability to use stringed instruments and a keyboard to create basic synchronizations. The most disappointing feature this album portrays is the fact that it leaves no room for hate or for praise. In fact, ordinary listeners might find themselves forgetting that the album had just stopped playing.

Yet, Hey Marseilles has mastered the art of magnetic image. Nicely dressed gentlemen sitting in a local green estate along with their quartet and guitar player. A setting that causes you to immediately think, “this looks like it will be a pleasant show” and sure enough, it is decent. Then, you think to yourself, “well, alright” as you drive back home refreshing yourself with your preferred playlist, thus, never giving ‘Hey Marseilles’ a second listen again.

This album is not completely featureless, however. “Perfect ok”, “You and I” and “North and South” are beautifully composed; Voice and lyrics crafted to simplicity, angelic blends between the duo of chamber strings by Jacob and Samuel Anderson, and effortless transitions between the finely crafted chorus and verses. These three pieces are the definition of the type of maturity that gives listeners the motivation to continue experiencing an album until the last coda—the minimum goal an artist should have when creating a composition. Just like judging a future comrade, maturity is essential. But, it doesn’t get you invited to parties.

Yes, Hey Marseilles’ new album is the thought­ provoking friend that dresses wonderfully and presents you with stimulating, mysterious conversation every so often. It’s beautiful, but when taken to a local festivity, complains that the music’s too loud for their taste, thus, invites you to their place to watch an obscure series on Netflix, concluding the night with sleep at 9:30pm. You like Hey Marseilles, they’re not a bad person, just not someone you always want around, not at all. Over all, Hey Marseilles self titled is just another baroque pop album. A mature, correctly composed album that follows a steady key and uninterrupted beat. But nothing more.