EP Review: The Art of Escape // Hein Cooper

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With a folksy self-contained assertiveness reflected in his work, upcoming Australian indie musician Hein Cooper has managed to serve up a mature debut self-titled EP – despite only being discovered in Sydney two years ago. Jam-packed with pleasant blends of earthy folk and pop impressions, the record is an earnest exploration of escape, change and transformation that’s equally reminiscent and beautiful.

Flowing effortlessly is first single, ‘The Art of Escape’. Its gentle folk sound is led by Cooper’s passionate falsetto vocals, which ring with an urgency you can’t help be affected by. The track showcases strikingly relatable lyrics, accompanied by a delicately plucked guitar generating an almost surreal quality to the whole performance. Drawing inspiration from sci-fi blockbuster The Matrix is track ‘The Real’. The tune picks up the pace with a darker electro-tinged vibe coursing through its continuous loops. It’s far less organic than its counterpart, with a bridge that makes you feel like Keanu Reeves waking up from a simulation.

Returning the listener back to its initial folk roots, ‘Luna Sky’ is a short and sweet narrative written for Cooper’s freedom-seeking ex-roommate. The song has a soothing melody and persistently strummed guitar that doesn’t impact you quite like the first two singles, yet still manages to follow the EP’s overall premise. Reaching the last track feels a bit like déjà vu as we return to ‘The Art of Escape’, which is given a synth pop makeover by Australian electronic group Tora, who are known for their catchy alternative arrangements. It’s a sultry hip-hop inclined remix that is a real fun note to end on. No wonder Cooper ok’d the collaboration.

The EP as a whole has a genuine sense of direction for a soundtrack that yearns for the ultimate getaway. It will leave fans eagerly anticipating the singer-songwriter’s next move. For now though, you can catch Hein Cooper on tour this month, beginning in Canada followed by a few shows in the UK and France. For more details visit his website.

Words by Nizza Munoz
@neezahh
Photo by Yani Clarke

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