Heyrocco – ‘Waiting On Cool’ (Review)

A few weeks back I had the chance to see Heyrocco at Tin Roof in Charleston with other local bands, Human Resources and The Give & The Take. It was my first time seeing Heyrocco live, and I don’t know why I waited so long to go to one of their shows. It was on the very night that they released their new EP, Waiting On Cool, so they played mostly songs off the new CD. I was front row and enjoyed the hell out of it, and I couldn’t help but give it a listen when I got home. As expected, I was thoroughly impressed.

Heyrocco’s new EP is filled with an awesome mix of angsty self-reflection, lowcountry vibes, and good old fashioned rock and roll. It’s one of those tapes you can play over and over again and still find something new to love about each song. These guys really know how to showcase their individual talents while still creating cohesive songs as a team, and they’ve gained a major fan in me, and many others. Being a solid six song EP, it’s hard to pick favorite songs, but I can break it down a bit to give you an idea of what’s good with Heyrocco’s Waiting On Cool.

Opening with the punk rock-influenced, high energy, “Yeah” prepares you for the overall sound of the EP. After that comes “It’s Always Something New”, which is a bit more laid-back and complete with a really catchy guitar riff and great lyrics that tell a story about a guy trying to navigate a relationship with a complicated girl, while still maintaining his sanity and composure. Up next is “Slice Of Life”, which is a bit more melancholy and solemn, and tells the tale of a lonesome stroll through downtown Charleston, thinking about ending the relationship, probably with the same girl from “It’s Always Something New”. This song has the feeling of needing to move on and get away from the same old daily grind, looking for change in your life.

The second half of Waiting On Cool is just as solid as the first half, with “Build It Up” coming in at the end of “Slice Of Life” and getting back into the upbeat energy that the EP started with. To me, this song has a lot of 90s alternative rock influence, and it’s awesome. When “Build It Up” fizzles out, the EP transitions into “Venice Beach”, which has even more 90s alternative influence. It kind of reminds me of “Loser” by Beck, with that low down and groovy vibe. You can hear the bass a lot in this one, and it’s really (Chris) Cool. Finally, we have “Perfect World” which is arguably my favorite song on the entire album. The guitar part sounds a lot like “Edit The Sad Parts” by Modest Mouse, and the song features really tight drumming by Tanner Cooper, aka Taco.

Heyrocco’s Waiting On Cool tour starts Thursday, 6/9/16 at the Pour House in Charleston, SC. Go to that show if you know what’s good for you. Just in case you can’t make it to this week’s show, though, I’ve included the tour poster below with the other dates. Have yourself a kickass day.