Extended Play 016: Akurei - HAIRDYE

Only two months after the release of his EP SEROTONIN, Gold Coast artist Connor Grant aka Akurei has gifted us his second three-track EP of 2020, HAIRDYE. The EP features a combination of his signature lo-fi guitar and crispy vocal tones, but a more introspective take on his lyricism that he’s never explored in the past.

HAIRDYE hits differently when listened to as a whole EP. Tracking at just over eight minutes, each single has its place in a journey; beginning, middle and end. Entirely written on the guitar, the record and its progression immediately captures your attention and glides you through the moments. Akurei inwardly explores his lyrics, exhibiting to his audience a deeper insight to his thoughts. On that note, it’s hard to believe that HAIRDYE wasn’t written without a special someone in mind. The EP was produced and mixed in-house in collaboration with longtime pal, Maxwell Byrne (Golden Vessel) and the team have crafted the most mature work of the Akurei project to date.

With 2020 already seeing the release of his SEROTONIN and now the HAIRDYE EP, collaborations with The Nicholas and BAYNK, as well as the creation of “sumoclic”, a record label with Maxwell Byrne; Akurei is truly finding his stride and there seems to be plenty of music packed away in his briefcase.

“HAIRDYE is the second EP I’m sharing this year. This one feels a little more transparent and rawer for me, which I always admire in the music I love. For the most part, these songs were written and explored on guitar before they hit the Ableton session which I found really refreshing.”

— Akurei