Kyle Andrews – Kangaroo EP

Music’s capable of plenty great things, life-changing events even. And often, we forget that one of its simplest functions is alleviating stress and worry from our life. Although it’d probably be most welcome to write about the sadness in our lives when writing music, it’s also refreshing to hear shining happiness from time to time. For Kyle Andrews, his scope was a bit different in using the aforementioned troubles as a catalyst to write pleasant music. With his newest EP, Kangaroo, Andrews has created a noble outlook on the everyday thrills we may otherwise, habitually, overlook.

Andrews genuinely opens his new positive outlook and attempt at sounding happy with “You Always Make Me Smile,” a sunny and pop-orientated song that recalls that young puppy-dog love. Unable to explain what exactly it is that attracts him to her, Andrews joyfully states that whatever it is, she’s got him hooked. If the Kangaroo title is any kind of hint, singing “Even if you fall down hard, I know you’ll bounce right back” is definitely channeling optimistic beams of light. It doesn’t always need to be about making everything purposely so, sometimes it’s actually OK to be sincerely simple; the jittery synths and drum machines definitely compliment this sentiment freely.

Like he does on “Lov3r,” Andrews asks his lover to follow him, even though the destination is still uncertain. A driving guitar and upbeat drumming reveal a tighter, singer-songwriter facet in Andrews’ arsenal. Like the title track, he sounds like a fresher and better Jason Mraz when employing his all-encompassing instrumentation. Lively and jumpy, everything displays polished production that delves into the personal songwriting that Andrews is employing. It’s easy to dismiss everything as some kind of pop shimmer but Andrews takes time to remind us, like on “Don’t Feel Left Out,” that there is plenty of intimacy capable within his music.

Short and sweet, this EP begins and ends with happy feelings all throughout – if it’s any kind of inclination, the streaming waves of good vibes continue throughout. These aren’t the harsher songs that clouded some of Real Blasty’s interiors and in fact, they couldn’t be farther apart. The smiles are definitely going to be here, if Kangaroo is any kind of indication of where he’s going to from here, Andrews will surely put forth his best effort.

Elephant Lady Records