Indie Pop duo, He Is We, appear to be in the midst of a meteoric rise. Formed relatively recently, Rachel Taylor and Trevor Kelly, find themselves releasing their debut album My Forever on a major record label with positive critical reception and sales as a result. On the basis of the material found here, this success is no surprise.
The album roughly tracks the trajectory of most [teenage] relationships; opening with the ecstatic and watching the following fallout as it falls apart. The lyrics make themselves instantly relatable to anyone who’s been in disastrous relationship.
Roughly tracking the trajectory of most teenage relationships, the album explores the different aspects of love that a relationship brings out. It plays towards the target audience of teenagers and young adults but will also evoke a warm nostalgia for the older listeners.
The album opener, “Forever and Ever” instantly outlines the appeal of this duo; infusing Kelly’s strong instrumentals and Taylor’s melodious vocals. The lyrics are sharp and despite the topic, they deftly avoid becoming too saccharine. Second track “All About Us”, a duet with Aaron Gillespie, improves on this. The vocals intertwine well and the song builds to a strong chorus; expect this track to be on the soundtrack to many a High School dance on teen TV show in the near future.
Following track, “Everything You Do”, is one of the best and catchiest tracks on the records. Starting like Imogen Heap’s more pop-orientated cousin, it builds into a buoyant earworm of a song. It shows off the more self-effacing and humorous qualities of the band with Taylor delivering self-aware lines that suggest this romance is “a little pathetic.”
The album highlight is “Happily Ever After”, a re-recording of an earlier demo track. It’s a defiantly optimistic track with a powerful chorus. It plays directly to the target audience with lines like, “We all have a story, of adolescence and all its glory.”
The second half of the album tries to add some more variety to the mix by using a more stripped back balladesque sound with “Kiss it Better” and “Blame It on the Rain,” whilst the change in style is welcome, the former track is the weakest on the album due to its trite lyrics.
Much of this album will feel vaguely familiar to fans of the genre, echoes of Sara Bareilles and Schuyler Fisk seep into the sound. However, this is no great problem as it allows an instant sense of comfort that make listening easier.
With My Forever, He Is We have a made a strong impression; it an almost perfectly formed pop record which stays in the mind long after you’ve finished listening to it. It may not be the most original album, but with such strong hooks, charming melodies and sharp lyrics, expect to be hearing more from this duo in the near future.
