Fans of indie-pop, listen up! The up-and-coming duo Eighty Ninety released their latest single ‘Yourself’ on November 15th.
Eighty Ninety — that are brothers Abner (vocals, production) and Harper (guitar, production) James. Since the pair’s debut in 2016 with their EP Elizabeth, the siblings have only gone one route: forward. With over 35 million streams, praise from the international press, syncs on Netflix and MTV shows, and, last but not least, an appreciation from pop icon Taylor Swift, the brothers are well on their way to achieving the indie pop throne.
The duo’s trademark, as evidenced on their 2023 self-titled debut album, is the fusion of minimalist pop productions built on acoustic instruments and electronic sounds with intimate storytelling, combined with memorable and captivating sonic landscapes. The single ‘Yourself’ also follows this pattern. The most recent work from the New York-based music forge tackles the complexities of feelings and thoughts that arise when two connected individuals become increasingly distant, eventually drifting apart.
What is particularly striking about the track is the strong contrast between the catchy melody, which is perfect for long car or train journeys along colourful autumn landscapes and invites to almost lose oneself in reverie, and the introspective lyrics full of emotional messages. Despite the sound being almost in high spirits, characterised by a sense of lightness, with a hint of nostalgia, the sung words impart the song with a deeper emotional level. This is precisely what makes the song exciting and paints a diverse and dynamic sonic and lyrical picture. Abner describes the essence of the song as follows: ‘Yourself‘ is about the quiet disconnect that can exist between two people, even when they’re physically close — and how easily things slip away when you’re not fully present and when you’re not giving yourself over to something,’. It is often the small details that only stand out on closer inspection and with focussing on more detail. Nonetheless, all of this makes a difference in its totality and abundance. Namely, when you are “left wondering what exactly you missed along the way until you realise what you missed wasn’t ‘something‘- it was everything.“ ‘Yourself’ thus offers a deeply relatable narrative. In times of fast-paced, superficiality, it is all too easy to lose oneself and one’s counterpart. The piece serves as a reminder to focus more on the present moment.
‘Yourself‘ is an intro perspective tune, which captivates the listener with its soulful, soft and calming vocals, paired with interesting guitar riffs and a sticky melody that builds steadily towards the chorus. Eighty Ninety’s latest work presents a promising addition to their discography, showcasing the artistic growth of the duo since their debut, while still maintaining their distinctive sound.
Written by: Vanessa Svejkovsky
Edited by: Ilse Muis
