hey, nothing break the ice in their latest EP, 33°
hey, nothing are one of the most standout duos that have risen up in the indie scene in the last few years. The duo captured folk rock excellence on their debut record, ‘We’re Starting to Look Like Each Other’, back in 2023, and they continued to build on their sound with sparks of Midwest emo in last year’s ‘Maine EP,’ quickly establishing an iconic discography full of charming songwriting, encompassing instrumentals, and a fluid vocal connection between the band’s members, Tyler Mabry and Harlow Phillips. Their newest project, ‘33°,’ continues to develop their iconic sound with five new tracks, infusing a powerful and compelling indie rock sound into the story of a young boy and his untimely death.
‘33°’ opens with the track “Sick Dogs,” a track that both delicately and ruggedly portrays the reality of navigating through seasonal depression. The track is fast paced in a way that portrays the overwhelming feeling of “the kinda thing that just grows and grows and grows and explodes;” the dynamic lyrics and instrumentation fly around as a result of the energetic performances from Mabry and Phillips. hey, nothing’s portrayal of the emotional tirade that rushes in alongside winter in “Sick Dogs” is picturesque for every component of the track, setting the stage perfectly with a glimpse of mindset of the main character and the story’s EP as a whole. While the lyrics question whether “you know, you know, you know / How cold it gets out here,” their communication of this feeling of being left behind in the freezing cold is clear and powerful.
The album shifts then into the hauntingly soothing “Barn Nursery.” Phillips takes lead vocals for the first half of the track, reflecting how “If I could’ve changed your mind / If I knew I was out of time / Would’ve met you on the ice.” Phillips' tone is buttery yet ruminative, with their words seeping into the minds of listeners and flowing back out through shedded tears. A soft strumming pattern helps the song flow, but there’s a husky reverb and a tinge of dissonance on one of the chords that emphasizes the guilt and desperation present in the lyrics of the song. As vocals switch to Mabry for the last half of the track, the frustration and pain that the narrator feels for their inability to change the past comes in full swing. “Barn Nursey” is a touching and gut-wrenching ballad with powerful dynamics that rip your heart out.
While the first two tracks of the song don’t fully explain the story of ‘33°,’ the pieces start to come together after hearing the album’s title track. “33°” tells the story of young boy who fails to see glimpses of hopes amongst the difficulties of his life and the grievous weight of seasonal depression. “33°” tells the particular story of the narrator committing suicide by traveling out into the middle of the lake, knowing that the ice will crumble underneath him and result in his drowning. In the song, he ponders how “Halfway ‘cross the lake / When it’s gonna break? / You’re asking me to change / How am I s’posed to change?” The song starts with an almost desolate instrumental mix composed of only guitars and vocals from the duo. However, the halfway point of the song fills the entire leads to a drop that fills in the rest of the sonic plane alongside pleading screams begging for help. The song continues to build throughout the rest of the song with trumpets, drums, and stellar vocal layering from Mabry and Phillips, signifying the weight of the loss before the instrument unravels for the last 30 seconds of the song. “33°” is stellar and wraps the entire EP together; while hey, nothing already demonstrated their potent storytelling on former projects, they’ve taken it to the next level on their newest EP.
The project ends with the aptly named “Death Song.” However, “Death Song” is more about holding on than it is about letting go. The duo asks “Why won’t you wake up? / Am I not tough enough? / And when I reach down in / The roots grow through your skin.” Denial surrounds the death of the boy, leaving a void that can never be properly filled. There’s tension throughout the instrumentation of the song, yet it’s clear how tender the emotions of the narrator are through the vocal performance and the delicate guitar that accompanies the track. The track indicates that maybe one day some semblance of the grief can be processed through growth, as Phillips sings “when it starts to bloom if it looks / Nothing like you / I’ll move.” However, the emotional complexity of grief and denial become just as real for listeners as a result of hey, nothing’s artistry.
The EP also features “If It’s Not,” a collaboration between hey, nothing and another rising indie folk duo, lighthearted. Gracie Huffman and Eliza Lemmon, the faces behind lighthearted, fill in the upper voice harmony and blend flawlessly with Mabry and Phillips. The four singers mix as if they are one voice together, but each of their individual vocal color and textures still shine through on the track. It’s a magical experience to listen to and provides a sense of hope amongst the struggles of seasonal depression explored through the other of the songs on the album. Despite some internal denial expressed in the lyrics of the track, the chorus affirms how “If it’s not alright, / it will be in time.” Amongst the heartbreak and the frustration that encapsulates all of ‘33°,’ this message will never fail to ring true.
hey, nothing continue to grow on ‘33°,’ showcasing their skills as musicians and creatives on an incredibly vulnerable and striking record. They’ve consistently stunned listeners as undeniably one of the best acts in the modern folk-rock scene, and their latest EP is certainly one that you should not dare to miss. If you’re looking for more hey, nothing after ‘33°,’ the duo will take the EP to the stage next month, hitting 19 cities across North America. You can check out the dates for their upcoming tour here and the full ‘33°’ project below.