EP Review: The radiant Holly Hebe releases the gorgeous EP ‘Ruby’, cementing her place as one of the most exciting indie pop artists around.

We’ve long admired the output of Naarm/Melbourne chanteuse Holly Hebe ,who has produced some of the most brilliant shimmering pop delights over the past few years. Today she releases her second EP, entitled ‘Ruby’, and it is business as usual for this superlative talent.

Hebe’s strength is her melodic mastery that puts pure pop treasures in a bowl and adds a subtle dash of melancholia to filter the bright lights, blending this to create a magnificent whole.

‘Out of the Blue’ opens up the EP with a jaunty crystalline guitar riff and Hebe’s layered aching vocals that float like a silken veil in a soft breeze. ‘Bottle Blonde’ reflects Hebe’s personal, direct style that seems to capture the vulnerabilities of growing up and growing old, with a scaling chorus that reaches the skies above. A bubbling aquatic instrumentation adds to the vitality and bounce of the Hebe’s songwriting style, augmented by the brief interlude of ‘Bobble Head’ where Hebe channels a little Laurie Anderson with the vocoder style.

‘Give Up The Fight’ is a delicate reflective track that showcases Hebe’s delicious heart breaking vocals and gentle style. The song swells into something quite anthemic and bold.

‘Hat Hair’ continues in this immersive style with its floating melodies, a touch of humour and air of dreamy melancholia. It’s another perfect slice of airy pop delivered with am ethereal tone that floats in the clear blue skies like a cotton wool cloud.

There is an innocent sense of romanticism and fatalism as she sings (in her bedroom) I think he is the love of my life, safe from reality. Hebe wrote the track as an anthem to those who are prone to falling hard and fast, and adds it’s also for:

…those who sometimes believe that it might be safer to just stay in the comfort of our bedrooms, rather than putting ourselves out there vulnerable to love and heartbreak.

There is an electronic frisson that bubbles throughout and a sprightly canter to yet another delightful piece of dreamy pop from this rising star in the firmament.

‘If You Were A Person (Ruby’s Song)’ is a deeply personal track serves as a touching ode to Hebe’s beloved childhood dog, Ruby. It is a gorgeous track that is raw and visceral. Hebe says:

If You Were A Person is about my beloved childhood dog Ruby. It’s cheesy but she’s seriously been through thick and thin with me, and she has been one of the most constant things in my life. She’s nearly 14 years old now & since I’ve moved quite far away from home, I don’t get to see her often. This song is a little ode to her and how I just know we’d be best friends if she was a human. There’s a unique type of pain that you experience as you watch a childhood pet age, and I wanted to capture that in a song.

‘Ruby’ is another triumph for Hebe: a collection of sparkling jewels in the firmament with the ethereal melodies and aching beauty in the delivery. There is a quality and stature that recalls Taylor Swift and she deserves this level of success.

‘Ruby’ is out now and available to download and stream here. Hebe will be touring the EP:

Thursday, 3 October – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle – free show

Friday, 4 October – Low 302, Sydney – tickets here

Saturday, 5 October – Shark Bar, Manly – Free show

Friday, 11 October – The Grace Darling, Melbourne – tickets here