The name Froyo might not be a familiar to you just yet, both both their message and sound is one that might just resonate.
Back in 2012, a young industry upstart named Michael Chow created Froyo as part of a university assignment, never knowing the future that such an undertaking would result in.
Tasked with showcasing students’ music production skills and versatility, Michael went about the route that any new band would take while creating their own online presence, and after making a website for the group, he thought it was about time this created entity took on a life of its own.
Stream Froyo’s Blue below:
Before long, Froyo had become a real band, with Michael’s songs being uploaded to triple j Unearthed, capturing the attention of station presenters, and promoters booking them for gigs.
Michael Chow – now a triple j presenter himself – soon teamed up with Allyson Montenegro, and Froyo officially entered the realm of live music, with the songs flowing out of them due to the stunning talent they both possess.
Fast-forward a few years, and now the duo have just released their long-awaited debut EP, Blue, full of the ’80s-inspired synth gems that we’ve come to know and love.
Take a look ‘Behind The Froyo’:
While Blue is an outwardly-poppy and upbeat record, falling in line with the group’s own description of themselves as “the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie that never happened,” the EP’s subject matter is in fact rather the opposite.
Tackling a subject matter close to Michael Chow, Froyo’s Blue pays homage to the realities of living with depression, with the EP’s title-track discussing the struggle and being naively content with doing nothing about it.
From the immediate start of this collection of tracks, we’re met with a sound of almost complete positivity, with shimmering ’80s synths backing Michael’s crystal-clear vocals which urge us not to wait “until skies are blue” before grasping life.
Tracks like ‘Time To Trade’ showcase the pair’s ability to create slick choruses, bolstered by their dazzling vocal interplay, while the solid underlying rhythm of ‘Out There’ helps to push forward the feeling of isolation the song’s lyrics speak of.
Closing track ‘Heart’ served as the first taster of the EP back in Mach, with Allyson Montenegro’s smooth voice helping to lead this tune, melting into a catchy-chorus which speaks of “trying to do what your heart loves versus what your brain thinks.”
Check out ‘Heart’ by Froyo:
Undoubtedly, the entirety of Froyo’s Blue is a whimsical mix of gorgeous new-wave, nostalgia-laced synth tracks, delivered with such authenticity and passion that it would make even the longest-tenured bands blush with admiration.
It’s a contradictory release though, as we’re left wanting to dance and feel so liberated by these tracks, only to be brought back down to reality somewhat by the serious subject matter of the EP.
However, when you consider that’s exactly what living with depression can be like at times, we have to say that Blue has certainly achieved the goals it set for itself.
Put simply, Froyo’s Blue is an important release, touching upon topics of mental health and depression, hidden behind an upbeat exterior of shimmering pop.
It’s a release that has the ability to open up a much-needed dialogue within the conversation of mental health, and wields a power that its creators may not even be aware of
Blue is a truly stunning EP, both in sound and message, and your life will undoubtedly be better for hearing it.
Listen to ‘Out There’ by Froyo:
