Meanjin/Brisbane indie-rock artist Harley is preparing to release his debut EP, You’re The One I’ll See At Home, this Friday, 18 September, and today we’re stoked to be giving you an exclusive first listen.
Harley is no stranger to the AU review. Back in June, we premiered “Tell Me You Love Me”, one of the singles on the six-track EP. It was an early glimpse at an artist willing to pair big, uplifting indie-rock moments with something considerably more vulnerable underneath.
That combination runs throughout You’re The One I’ll See At Home. Across six tracks, Harley explores self-belief, validation, addiction, relationships and friendship, wrapping some deeply personal songwriting in expansive guitars, crescendoing builds and wide-open choruses.
Musically, the EP moves confidently between soaring indie rock, bluesier textures and flashes of psychedelia. There are stomping rhythms, hazy guitars, bright synths and plenty of those big, open choruses, while Harley’s raspy vocals bring an urgency that works just as well in the more anthemic moments as it does when things become more introspective. There is plenty going on beneath that energy too, and perhaps the most impressive aspect of You’re The One I’ll See At Home is Harley’s willingness to be vulnerable and open. It’s a brilliant and incisive debut EP.
Harley has put together a track-by-track breakdown, so do press <Play> and read on. And be sure to pre-save the EP HERE.
Harley – You’re The One I’ll See – Track by Track
EP overview
This collection of music has been an absolute rush and a rollercoaster of emotions to make. It’s my debut EP; my first large body of work and I wanted it to feel special. I had a large list of rep to choose from, but these six tracks in particular felt necessary to have together. They’re all quite different but also feel very connected and similar. I wanted this EP to best convey my growth and experience as a young artist. I was filled with self-doubt and distrust in my ability for a long time, scared to be too vulnerable to the audience as it’s terrifying laying it all out on the line in hopes that others enjoy it. Ultimately, I realised the thing that makes people fall in love with their favourite artists is that vulnerability. No one can best tell my story other than myself, and I wanted this EP to feel like the first chapter in my journal as an artist. These were some of my early songs for the project and it felt important to show that journey and progression. To be confident in my sound, ability and to be vulnerable to myself and the listener in the hopes that they find meaning and connection to my music. I’m so beyond excited that these songs are finally out, and I can’t wait for what the future holds.
“Gold”
Gold’ is about calling out someone who isn’t treating you the way you deserve. It tells the story of a relationship slowly fracturing in front of your eyes. At its core, it’s about love, loss and trust, but ultimately, it’s about independence, believing in who you are, what you create, and trusting your own instincts. Be inspired by the people around you, but back yourself and stand up for what you believe in. Sonically, I was heavily inspired by the soundscapes of Holy Holy and Kings of Leon. It was exciting to experiment with more synth-driven textures and create a dense atmosphere using production techniques I’d never tried before. I’m absolutely stoked with how it turned out, and it’s an absolute blast to play live.
“Tell Me You Love Me”
“Tell Me You Love Me” is a search for validation and fulfilment. Something I think we all feel but instead put on a brave face and ignore. I wrote the lyrics as a lover who is pleading his partner to say that they still love each other. He starts questioning himself, “Is there something that I missed?”. He spirals and falls into the rabbit hole. On the surface, that’s all there is to the song. However, I love when songs have double meanings and can be interpreted by the listener in multiple ways. I think for me the song serves in the light of a musician searching for fans and validation. Seeking sold out shows, people who truly connect with the music and perhaps the strength to be unapologetically goofy and weird.
“Give Me Something [Extended Version]”
‘Give Me Something’ shines a light on how it feels to be completely road warn. Are you working a nine to five and feeling like you’re going nowhere? I hope this track serves as an anthem for not only the struggling musicians out there, but anyone who is ready for a change in their life. Change is scary, but often for the best. This extended version felt like a natural progression for the song. It’s how we play it live, and I wanted to give an extra little something (pun intended) to the listener as this was the first song I released as part of the EP. This song was a big eye-opener for me and forced me to confront many aspects of my mental health and well-being. For what seems like an eternity of things not going to plan, struggling to make ends meet and balancing work life and a hectic musician lifestyle. Every now and again we all feel like we’re stuck in a rut and need a little help from those around us to get us out. Feeling frustrated and just want to catch a break? This is the song for you.
“Burn”
“Burn” was a difficult song for me to come to terms with. It’s one of the most raw and vulnerable tracks I’ve written, dealing with struggle, addiction and frustration. Including it on the EP felt important because I think that’s how people truly connect with the artists they love, not through polished perfection, but through honesty. Rather than sugar-coating the hard moments, I wanted to embrace them in the hope that they resonate with someone else. There’s also a line in the song that touches on frustration with authority. I don’t want to make it overly political, but it reflects the feeling of being controlled by systems that claim to help, while often seeming more interested in helping themselves and making things worse.
“Take Me To The City”
‘Take Me To The City’ was an absolute blast to make. It’s one of those songs I’d always wanted in my catalogue, and it marks the first slower track I’ve released. It’s also extra special because it was one of the first songs the band and I collaborated on together. The laid-back 6/8 groove, combined with blues-rock and psychedelic influences, created a huge, immersive sound that I’m excited to keep exploring in future releases. Inspired by artists like Paolo Nutini, Kaleo and Pink Floyd, ‘Take Me To The City’ tells the story of a night out in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Fuelled by intoxication and lust, I wanted to capture that inner monologue you have when you’re out on your own and ready to make questionable decisions. One of my favourite moments is the second verse, where everything becomes more atmospheric and disorientating. The subtle guitar rattles, string noise and feedback help create a hazy, unsettled feeling that perfectly reflects the narrator’s state of mind.
“When I’m With You”
“When I’m With You” holds a special place in my heart. It felt like the perfect closer and a great bookend to my debut EP. It was one of the last songs I wrote for this collection of music and I wanted to try and elevate my writing and tell a very specific story. A story of friendship, love and simply being there for someone. My best friend and I were down in the dumps one night, though not necessarily upset about one thing in particular, more so overwhelmed and scared of the world around us and how we fit in it. You know, the usual existential spiral most early twenty-year-olds feel. We decided it best to drink four bottles of wine together and attempt to make ourselves cry by watching sad videos of dogs being reunited with their owner returning from war. We thought crying would help us release some of the stress as it often does. We didn’t end up balling our eyes out by the end though as instead we were having too much fun. Dancing to our favourite vinyls, building houses of cards and having a really wholesome night together. The next day I wanted to commemorate that night by putting it in my song and expressing that feeling of always being there for someone when they need it. I pushed my vocal ability to new limits recording this and I’m so happy with how climactic and cinematic it feels. If I would want any message to be taken from this song, it’s live life to its fullest and look after those around you, you never know what incredible memory will come of it.
You can give Harley a follow on TikTok, Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook, Apple Music and Spotify
Header image credit: Darcy Goss Media
