Take You Somewhere. Sassyhiya

With single its 'Boat Called Predator' U.K. alt-rockers Sassyhiya made its debut on WoNoBlog a few weeks ago. The single is the opener of Take You Somewhere as well. The song is an ideal opener for the album. It shows the way the band plays off its mix of pop with alternative rock if not post punk. The approach works in a great way. Sassyhiya could have come from New Zealand from that matter. It fits well with the many alternative bands and singer-songwriters coming from the isles down under.

Kathy Wright (vocals, guitar) and Helen Skinner (vocals, bass) are the nucleus of the band. They are partners in life and band and started to make music together in their home, resulting in the debut EP 'Gun Demos' in 2022, after having been active in several bands. Later they were joined by Pablo Paganotto (drums) and Neiloy Mookherjee (guitar). Together they released a second EP 'Live At Paper Dress Vintage'. Their latest collaboration can now be listened to.

Listening to Take You Somewhere as a whole is a little like someone who responds to every impulse instantly forgetting what the original task or idea was. Something not entirely unknown to me. Sassyhiya (pronounce as sassy hiya) jumps around from one approach to the next mood, which makes Take You Somewhere as eclectic as it is attractive. There's simply no way you'll not be surprised and intrigued. This band is showing its listeners its all and in this way we are taken on a musical trip taking us from the 1960s straight into the 2020s, with loads of stops along the way. It is also important to note that there is no harm nor anger to be found on Take You Somewhere. As far as I can see it, this band is comfortable with what it is and where it's going. The same goes for the songwriters. This album is not so much a happy one, but certainly a contented one. It is all over Take You Somewhere. In fact I'm quite content to follow the band to that somewhere.

Promo photo

In short, this album takes you from the mix of pop mixed with free-flowing but not your average chord progressions, to pop songs that with a little imagination could have come from the 1960s. A good example of a song that combines both is 'Perinneal'. The soft female voices are straight out of an innocent 60s girl band or a U.K. folk band for that matter, the guitar does everything to deny that. And, a psychedelic atmosphere is sprinkled out by the trumpet and other horns that ring out later on in the song. What can grow out of a somewhat difficult guitar riff!

Should you ask me which side of Sassyhiya I like best, you would receive the answer that I do not have a preference. I like the surprises, like in 'Perennial'. There is no way changes like this can be predicted. Allow yourself to be surprised, amazed. This band is able to offer just that and with an inherent quality that makes listening a satisfying experience. It may be clear that this band knows where Abraham found his mustard. The next step is to add it to your own and to your flavour and that is exactly what Sassyhiya does on its debut album.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

You can listen to and order Take You Somewhere here:

https://sassyhiya.bandcamp.com/album/take-you-somewhere-2