Sydney rock outfit Yendys are back with their second EP, If I Had A Hi Fi, and we’re delighted to be premiering it today, ahead of its official release tomorrow, 30 October.
Following their 2025 debut Drawn Onward, the band have broadened their sound, bringing country, punk, grunge and funk influences into the mix. There’s some fabulous musicianship on show, particularly on opener “Man On Fire”, which is all growl and grit, with some cracking guitar work. It’s the sort of track that conjures up an open fire burning, drinks spilling, dancing and plenty of back-slapping. You can almost smell the smoke.
“Bad Case of the Mondays” brings a healthy dose of classic Aussie humour to the frustrations of a mind-numbing office job. Then comes “When I Find Out”, an upbeat beauty brimming with optimism. It’s quite the change of mood, and a reminder that Yendys are equally convincing when they’re having a good time or lamenting life’s frustrations.
“Some Things Never Last” has a captivating swagger, and that bass line is an absolute boss. There’s a tenderness to the song too, with insightful lyrics, a chorus you can really grab hold of, and a mighty fine guitar solo for good measure. The EP closes with “No More Lies”, a blues-rock number with a psych-rock edge that twists and turns along the way.
It’s a quality follow-up from a band who clearly know their way around their instruments, and aren’t afraid to have some fun.
We’ve got your first listen to If I Had A Hi Fi below, and Yendys have kindly taken us through the stories behind each of its five tracks.
Yendys – If I Had a HiFi – Track by Track
“Man On Fire”
“Man On Fire” is a restless fever dream set to a reckless, rolling country rhythm. Heavy blues riffs and manic energy drive the song as it swings between unease, desire and losing control.
It’s about that feeling when something starts taking over — your thoughts speed up, your body follows, and you’re not quite sure whether you’re trying to escape it or chase it further. There’s a tension between wanting out and wanting more. “Man On Fire” lives in that space between holding on and letting go, when things start to blur and giving in feels easier than fighting it.
“Bad Case of the Mondays”
Symptoms: “Sore back, upset stomach”, “A big bill, empty wallet”, “Way too tired”
Diagnosis: A “Bad Case of the Mondays”, a week-long affliction that affects many of us stuck in the tedium of a 9 to 5 office job.
The song tells a tale of the decay of body and soul that happens when you can only describe your job as “Stared at the screen so long I could vomit”. The frustration of suffering small indignities is the source of the chorus’ refrain “I keep on getting up/Just to let myself down”. The insistent guitar riff, driving rhythm section and frenzied vocals speak of the futile search for meaning in meaningless work.
All is not lost, however. Chant this mantra along with Yendys as they offer the only reasonable solution left in the bridge: “Think I’m gonna work from home today”.
“When I Find Out”
“When I Find Out” is a joyful, uplifting celebration of hope, desire and finding the confidence to put yourself out there. The track captures the excitement of those first feelings creeping in, when the possibility of something special begins to take hold, before giving way to the familiar doubts and indecision of wondering, “What if I’m not good enough?”
Through this emotional push and pull, the song builds towards a triumphant realisation: when you discover something meaningful within yourself, it deserves to be shared with the person who inspires it and the world around you. Throwing caution to the wind and going hell for leather, the track culminates in an unabashed declaration of intent: “When I find out / I’m gonna let you know, because I want you to know!”
“Some Things Never Last”
“Some Things Never Last” explores ideas around memory, living, working and getting what you want. The world may be out to get you but you still get to choose how to live. I got the right cards but not the winning hand’ – turns out the only thing guaranteed is that some things never last.
The relentless driving bass line and haunting atonal guitar stabs sets the uncomfortable restless mood, reminiscent of Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand”.
The roll of the song continues into the final chorus with bitter lyrics (“How could you stand for nothing”) set against soaring guitars as the song concludes with a final search through memories and experiences for meaning.
“No More Lies”
“No More Lies” is an introspective exploration of the moment you realise a relationship has broken down beyond repair, despite all your best efforts to hold it together. Told through short, emotive and descriptive lyrics, the track captures the jumble of thoughts, feelings and unanswered questions that race through your mind when you’re grappling with a difficult decision and trying to make sense of it all. It draws you into that space inside your head, where everything feels tangled and uncertain, before arriving at the chorus and a moment of painful clarity: “No more lies, you don’t love me no more”.
Yendys release If I Had A Hi Fi on Friday, 30 October 2026, via all major streaming platforms.
You can keep up to date with Yendys via Instagram and their website.
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