Single Review: Shallow by Haylee Robins
Review by Sheldon Ang
Today, Perth singer songwriter Haylee Robins releases her much anticipated new single, Shallow.
Recorded, mixed and produced by Kav Temperley (lead vocalist of 8-time ARIA award winning band Eskimo Joe), the mellifluous track evolves around the push and pull distillery of a relationship, the tentative engagement that fails to commit. Sounds familiar?
The initial imagery is sparked by a care free bohemian spinning in a dreamy state of consciousness, as if staring into the nostalgic realms of a sun ray-ed 70’s. The endearing undertones of Haylee Robins projects a cathartic stance, yet we are drawn into the complexities of the human relationship. That’s the upper layer.
If music permanency lies in vocal delivery, then the Perth artist hits the mark with her artful story telling dexterity. The singer songwriter maintains a high pitch throughout – but restrained, which emphasis her emotional discomfort, while projecting her message with precise control; a fusion of vulnerability, mild frustation and acquiescence through the introspective lens.
The denominator is engineered for purpose; the track commences on an easy tempo, with drums by Jack O’Dell alluding the listener to a slow dance between two people, grooving with the flowy frustation of the singer, until the electric guitar by Daniel Cornell (Amberdown, Black Kanyon, Hailmary) soars. It could have easily gone AWOL in a genre twisting attempt to blend introspective melody with rock sensibilities – but the electric guitar maintains its discipline within the thematic semblance of Shallow, gliding with the flow instead. Perhaps that’s the symbolic outpour of frustration – which then carries the visceral projection – vulnerability, mild frustration, and acquiescence.
Alongside the instrument weaved by some of Perth’s finest, Haylee Robins’ vocal performance is the central force. The awareness by the production team merging the lyrics and vocals to create an emotive track in Shallow is unerring.
Listen on YouTube and Spotify
Follow Haylee on
Written by Haylee Robins
Guitar, Bass and Percussion: Kav Temperley
Lead guitar: Daniel Cornell
Drums: Jack O’Dell
Recorded, Produced and Mixed by Kav Temperley
mastered by Simon Struthers at Forensic Audio
—
About Haylee
Hail from Perth, Haylee Robins projects a wide vocal range from contralto, alto to mezzo-soprano, stemming her the ability to perform across multiple genres, from ballads to fronting cover bands of ACDC, The Doors and Nirvana by 16 years young. In 1999, she entered the recording studio with her original band Cactus Lush.
Over the past 25 years, the musician has performed at various venues across Perth including Badlands, Amplifier Bar, Milk Bar, Indian Ocean Hotel and Port Beach Garden Bar.
Haylee is a prolific songwriter who continues to write while raising a family. Her songwriting regained prominence in 2020 when she co founded the original Perth band ‘Bohemian Crash’, ultimately releasing an EP with the acclaimed track, White Lake 69.
In October 2021, she was a key vocalist in the Perth United project, bringing some of Perth’s finest musicians to write, record and release the song Diamond Child to raise funds for Telethon – all within 12 hours, which then gained radio play on local radio station 107.3 HFM.
In December 2022, she released her debut EP Passing Time. The 4 tracks were mixed and mastered by Daniel Connell, the formidable lead singer of Amberdown, Black Kanyon and Hailmary.
In the following year, Haylee began working with Kav Temperley from the 8 -time ARIA award winning band Eskimo Joe. Working from his studio in Fremantle, Kav recorded, produced, and mixed two songs. Shallow is the initial teaser, featuring Eskimo Joe’s lead vocalist on guitar, bass and percussion, Daniel Connell on lead guitar and Jack O’Dell on drums, complimenting the ethereal, soulful delicate yet driving sounds crafted by these seasoned musicians, highlighting a dreamy track that flows to the rhythm of swaying, nostalgic beats, and enshrouded with depth and passion.
Haylee Robins of Perth Western Australia is a formidable storyteller and lyricist.
