Shyer | cambridgemusicreviews

As the warmth of Spring finally arrives Cambridge rockers Shyer release the ideal track for a relaxing evening of music; a punchy but laid-back three minutes which in their words is ‘..about seeing through the facade to what’s really there. Even when it’s not pretty….’. The recording is accompanied by a performance video on YouTube and some striking cover artwork! (see below).

Starting with an inviting guitar chord sequence the voice kicks in with some of the lyrical ambiguity that vocalist Amanda George is so adept at delivering, tempered by infectious ‘…uh-oh’s…’. The song reaches an irresistible chorus, where the barbs of ‘…I may be a liar, I’m inclined to forget, but tell me does this bruise your confidence…?’ float over an onslaught of perfectly tempered guitar fuzz, fighting against the dynamics of the bass and drums.

As in all the best songs the middle-eight takes the song in a different direction rhythmically and musically and on this occasion does not lead back into the chorus or any thematic resolution, instead leaving the emotional conclusion of the repeated ‘…I never asked for this…’ ominously hanging in the air.

I recently saw Shyer as first act on stage in a triple header of Cambridge favourites at popular rocking venue The Cornerhouse (with The Scissors and Bouquet Of Dead Crows) and was treated to a blistering set which showcased this fine song.

https://www.facebook.com/Shyerband/

The debut single from new Cambridge band Shyer is a summery concoction about the effects of a new relationship.
The lyric of ‘Hideout’ is a mosaic of references to perceptions all going a bit addled with some neat phrases threading through ‘….All the electrical output…the sudden surge of excitement and I’m charged for days…’ and my favourite ‘…. it’s like the sun’s under my skin ….’.. All assuredly sung by wordsmith Amanda George. The Marr to her Morrissey is guitarist/composer supremo Zak Tysoe, in this song he is always playing something interesting in jangly or full-on rock mode. Firm foundations are provided by the rhythm section of Chris How and Damiano Porcelli – and they are given their chance to shine in the middle eight section.

This is a classy and lovingly crafted single, with so much going on in one track you wonder if they have any more to offer, but don’t worry, the follow-up single ‘Bad Company’, a more rocky piece is finished (complete with ominous chord sequence and angry guitar but another catchy chorus line) and waiting to be formally released in a few weeks.

And there is plenty more to come; I recently saw them play outdoors as the sun went down (see picture below…) over the picturesque Three Tuns Beer Festival outside Cambridge, where they delivered a sparkling twelve song set of upbeat originals to an appreciative audience.
The band’s memorable name reflects the conflict that is common in many performers between the urge to reach out with their creativity balanced against lack of confidence and shyness during the process.
Look out for this energetic four-piece, they are developing as a force to be reckoned with on the Cambridge scene.

https://shyer.bandcamp.com/track/hideout

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Tag Archives: Shyer

Shyer : Compliments, single released April 2018

Shyer : Hideout, single released August 2017