TOY

On Thursday, I sat down with Brae to chat about their upcoming release. The very next day, I headed off on vacation, and the album dropped. I couldn’t help but feel an itch to listen. Normally, I’d sit down, press play, and immerse myself from start to finish and repeat, but this time, I found myself stealing quick moments here and there to catch a few tracks. And each time, I was hit with a wave of goosebumps, that would cover me like a rash. It became clear—Dear Seattle aren’t just a band, they’re the real deal.

ALBUM REVIEW

Dear Seattle’s TOY

After eight years of crafting their signature indie rock sound, Sydney’s Dear Seattle have just dropped their third studio album, TOY, and it’s nothing short of a triumph. Since forming in 2013, the band has cemented its place in the Aussie indie rock scene, earning a loyal fan base with their electrifying live shows and emotionally charged music. TOY is their boldest and most ambitious project yet, capturing a raw energy and introspective depth that proves they’ve come a long way from their earlier work.

A Return to Form with Fletcher Matthews

Once again collaborating with Fletcher Matthews, who also produced their debut EP in 2017, Dear Seattle strikes a perfect balance between their past and present sound on TOY. Matthews’ production shines throughout the record, combining a polished, expansive sound with the gritty, authentic energy that made the band’s early work so appealing. The result is an album that feels both intimate and hard, as if Dear Seattle have grown into their full potential without losing any of the heart that initially drew fans in.

From the first track, “Nothing’s Stopping Me Now,” it’s clear that TOY marks a new chapter in the band’s journey. The track sets the tone with an urgent, heroic vibe that introduces the album’s central themes of self-reflection, personal growth, and the messy complexities of relationships. The bold, driving rhythm and soaring guitars provide the perfect backdrop to frontman Brae Fisher’s reflective lyrics, which explore emotional terrain with both vulnerability and defiance.

Themes of Growth and Heartache

The lyrical content of TOY takes a deeper, more mature turn compared to the band’s earlier work. Tracks like Feel It All and Cut My Hair showcase Fisher’s knack for writing lyrics that feel almost painfully personal. These songs resonate on an intimate level, as if they’re pulled directly from the listener’s own diary. Yet, these heart-on-sleeve words are elevated by the band’s music, which marries powerful riffs with a pulsating rhythm section. It’s the kind of sound that demands to be screamed along to in a live setting, and it’s easy to imagine fans belting these songs in the front row at their next headline gig.

In particular, “Cut My Hair” stands out as a highlight, offering a brilliant contrast between heavy, distorted guitars and Fisher’s raw, melancholic vocals. The song’s darker, grungy vibe captures the essence of personal struggle, with a guitar solo that delivers an intense burst of energy that’s hard to ignore. It’s moments like these that remind us why Dear Seattle has earned a place at the forefront of the Aussie indie scene.

Musical Moments That Stand Out

TOY is filled with standout musical moments that showcase the band’s evolution in both songwriting and instrumentation. The groovy bass-line in “Evergreen” immediately grabs attention, its infectious rhythm practically demanding listeners to nod along in appreciation. In “Counting Hours,” the band takes a step back, introducing a half-time breakdown in the final chorus that hits hard emotionally with the line, “Love’s so sweet, but I’m so sour.” It’s a masterstroke that adds another layer of depth to the song, amplifying the vulnerability of the lyrics.

Tracks like “Sungazer” and “Cut My Hair” channel a nostalgic yet modern energy, reminiscent of early 2000s pop-punk. The band taps into a sound that feels rebellious, infectious, and emotionally charged—like something your cool older sibling might’ve blasted through the walls during their teenage years. There’s a sense of freedom in these songs, a yearning to break out and embrace both the chaos and beauty of life.

Resilience Amid Heartache

Despite delving into heavy emotional terrain, TOY isn’t just about heartbreak—it’s about resilience and finding hope even in the most challenging times. While there’s a certain catharsis in wallowing through the heartbreak, there’s also an underlying sense of strength that runs through the album. The record unfolds like a journey, one that takes the listener from the depths of personal struggles to the realisation that growth and healing are possible. This balance between despair and hope is what makes TOY such a cathartic listen—it’s an album that allows you to feel every ounce of pain and, in turn, find a way to move forward.

A Journey of Self-Discovery and Emotional Growth

On first listen, TOY feels like a record that charts a new chapter for the band. However, upon deeper reflection, it becomes clear that the album is less about the final destination and more about the messy journey of self-discovery. The themes of uncertainty and new beginnings are present throughout, with each track representing a different stage of emotional evolution. Dear Seattle wade through heavy emotions, breakups, and endings, eventually emerging on the other side into new realms of love, lust, and transformation.

“Nothing’s Stopping Me Now” serves as the album’s energising prologue, a rousing anthem about growth and self-realisation. The following track, “Promise,” sees Fisher reflecting on his own mistakes and missteps in a relationship, creating a poignant moment of self-reflection. These themes of regret, introspection, and personal growth ripple throughout the record, giving TOY a sense of continuity and cohesion that’s bound to resonate with anyone who’s ever gone through a difficult period of emotional upheaval.

The Potential for Album of the Year

Despite a few moments where the album’s lyrics or sound may feel slightly repetitive, TOY stands as a shining example of Dear Seattle’s growth as a band. The moments that push the boundaries of their usual style—both musically and lyrically—are the ones that stand out the most. Whether it’s the introspective mood of “Cut My Hair” or the huge energy of “Nothing’s Stopping Me Now,” these tracks highlight the band’s willingness to evolve while staying true to their roots.

There’s a sense of inevitability in TOY—the band’s journey has led them to this point, and it’s clear that this album represents a pivotal moment in their career. It’s an album that both captures the messy, raw emotions of life and offers a sense of release and hope for the future. If you’re a fan of music that’s as emotionally charged as it is musically dynamic, TOY is undoubtedly one of the standout albums of the year for us.