We review "Come Back: The Remixes" the new EP from Hayley Ross
Have you heard of Hayley Ross ? No ? Well, her debut album “The Weight of Hope” was released in February 2020 and is one of the albums of the year for me. Fascinated by water, born in Walton-on-Thames and now living by the sea in Brighton, she dreamed of being a mermaid and is currently converting a fishing trawler into a home. And the sea is a huge influence on her album, especially in tracks such as Barracuda and Lay Me Down. This is an album to literally immerse yourself in, sit back and enjoy. Slow, moody, delicate and haunting it truly is an experience. Just a shame we’re not reviewing it here today.
Check her out, you won’t be disappointed.
22 May 2020 sees the release of Hayley’s latest EP “Come Back: The Remixes” on Barracuda Records. Come Back is a wonderful track and a personal highlight on her debut album (along with Lay Me Down). But this EP release is something different for Hayley. It includes five remix versions of Come Back, all bringing their own very different and unique re-imaginations to this track. The tracks are radical re-works of her distinctly dreamy and transcendent vocal style.
First we have the remix by 90s House icons N-JOI who had two number 1 US Billboard chart Dance #1’s. This is an excellent mix, with it’s pounding drum rhythm intro, a truly euphoric version very much in the style of their classic track Anthem (Reaching UK #3).
Next up we have rising Manchester EDM founding member, and DJ/Producer Geek Boy who brings all his best disco, future bass and hiphop music skills to bear here. A rising DJ star, highly rated by the likes of Toddla T and Mistajam he gives the song a full on sensory-rushing makeover. For me personally, this was the version furthest away from my musical comfort zone. Still a sound track and expertly delivered and will appeal to many… it just didn’t grab me personally as some of the others did. Says more about my tastes to be fair.
The third version slows the pace down nicely as producer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Thomas Aston from North London takes over. A versatile musician, his production and recording work spans a variety of genres ranging from dance/electronic to folk/singer-songwriter. Mellow and laid back, it’s a distinctly downbeat and cerebral interpretation, which brings a wonderful new edge to the track with his own unique style and is my favourite version on the EP.
Since 1992 Duncan Forbes has released many albums, singles and EP's under many aliases Including Spooky, Animated, Toon Raiders and The Blondini Gang. He has also worked as a Producer and co-writer alongside the likes of DJ Sasha and Emifire. This forth version follows on well from Duncan’s retaining the more mellow feel to it, but with a wonderfully bright hi-hat running through it. It’s a more techno-tilting instrumental version. Although slow and mellow, the track has a feel good vibe and makes you smile.
Finally we have the Lost Raven (Michele Lister) remix. Her style is eclectic and is a genre defying sound – a mashup of techno, progressive house, breaks and angelic ethereal vocals. Her haunting 2018 debut single ‘Demons’ was a wonderful pulsating techno-trance crossover, and that haunting feel comes through here as well in her darkly sensual overhaul.
The full tracklisting is as follows:
1.’Come Back’ (N-Joi Mix)
2.’Come Back’ (Geek Boy Mix)
3.’Come Back’ (Thomas Aston Mix)
4.’Come Back’ (Duncan Forbes Mix)
5.’Come Back’ (Lost Raven Mix)
I have to be honest and say this is outside my comfort zone - dance/hiphop/trance is not my thing, but I was surprised to find I really enjoyed this experience. As I said in the introduction, go check out Hayley’s debut album “The Weight of Hope”, it is simply incredible. Taking something so delicate like that and remixing it like this could be risky, but each of these five remixes bring something new and exciting to an already excellent track. I really enjoyed four of the five remixes, and it was quite hard to pick an overall favourite.
Well worth a score of 8.
