Later For The Real Show is the latest EP release for Helen Corry, and is a long-awaited release; after the first single Strike was made available 10 months ago, and the follow-up single La Femme having a “controversial” music video that resulted on Corry’s Facebook page being temporarily removed. While expected that the fans would have heard these tracks before at live shows, it’s an interesting move to release a five-track EP where three of the songs have already been released individually as singles.
With a combined track length of just over 17 minutes, Later For The Real Show is a short, concise EP that has a light and bubbly vibe; like a bungy jump, or jetboating experience, the release is here to provide a good time, not a long time. The EP starts with that long-established debut single Strike, in an attempt to set the tone for the remainder of the tracks. Light and bubbly, the track has some nice percussive elements initially using finger snaps as an alternative to electronic drums. With some beautiful, clean vocals, and a good build up towards the chorus, the song fills you with energy and makes you want to move.
Unfortunately,
the strength of the opening track isn’t enough to carry the EP. La Femme has a much quieter vibe, with
nice percussive melodic tones, and dreamy synths. The chorus carries a very
similar style to Strike but comes
across rather empty and separate from the rest of the track. Good clarity in
the vocals. The longest track in the EP, Waiting
has a slower pace and provides nice variations in vocal styles. A slow-building
track, the instrumentals have interesting elements (like the inclusion of what
sounds like pan flutes), but is ultimately anti-climactic, lacking the energy
needed to drive the track forward.
Almost a
lounge/electronic hybrid, End Of The
Night, is a true display of Helen Corry’s clean vocal style, with brilliant
clarity and tonal control. A very basic, stripped back structure, the majority
of the song consists of a well-balanced vocal & piano combo. The EP ends on
another pre-released track, The Power.
Smooth in sound and melody, with good vitality in the chorus.
Overall,
Later For The Real Show has a great
tone, and a light vibe that doesn’t rely on heavy bass to drive the energy of
the track. Strike is by far the
strongest track on the EP, and it does leave the rest of the tracks largely in
the dark by comparison. Some transitions between the vocal verses and
instrumental choruses have room for improvement, but there is a solid
foundation behind each track, and a gorgeous, youthful voice.
Review written by Alex Moulton
Helen Corry has been a constant presence in the NZ music scene over the last six years. These days you can’t turn on the radio without hearing one of her chart topping tunes, be it Jetski Safari’s Like a Lie, Jupiter Project’s With You (GOLD), Stack and Piece’s Burning Out, and She Said with Ryan Enzed.
In October 2017 Helen released the first single, Strike, from her upcoming EP which featured on Spotify's New Music Friday and spent a number of weeks in George FM's Top 5. Strike combines a killer beat and an infectious hook with Corry's flawless vocals.
Helen's latest single La Femme released in February 2018 and also featured on Spotify's New Music Friday.