Inhale is the third single from Taupo based duo False Heights, April Pirie (vocals, keyboards) and Ashley Pirie (drums, guitars, vocals). They say they are inspired by a wide range of artists (Jimmy Eat World, The Cranberries, Taylor Swift, Bring Me The Horizon, Sigrid, Blink 182, Lorde etc.) and they like to mix together many forms of music with a pop sensibility. For this release they have brought in a substantial amount of upbeat reggae but temper it with plenty of pop which reminds me of a female-led commercial version of classic UB40, except with just two musicians. It must be said that it doesn’t start well, with some rather twee keyboard sounds which makes me think of an Eighties video game. The guitar comes in over the top, and soon we are into something which is far more interesting.
It is always nice to hear a duo using acoustic drums as opposed to a drum machine, and this helps give the reggae a nice solid foundation, while Ashley also has a warm and rhythmic touch on the bass. He also provides some nice jagged and jangly guitars (we even get a small but perfectly formed solo), while April provides the underlying melody, often holding down chords which allow the rest of the music to layer on top. While the accompaniment is pleasant, what lifts this are the melodic, clean, and clear vocals of April which are poppy, yet also have a realistic edge to them as they have not been smoothed too much. The vocals have deliberately been placed right at the foreground, yet all instruments are clearly defined which really adds to the clarity and punch, with the song becoming far punkier until it climaxes. It ends with the same dated sounds it begins with, and to be honest I could have done without them altogether, but the rest of the song is pleasant and surely destined to be a Summery radio hit.
There are no false promises with False Heights. Hailing from Taupo, New Zealand, this quirky pop-punk duo are a "symphony of music" (Stuff NZ) who bring a theatrical alternative edge to the mainstream world, and call listeners to raise their drinks high and celebrate that it’s okay not to be okay.
Ashley and April Pirie are the tight knit couple behind False Heights, an act born amidst living room crisis in 2016 where Ashley’s musical backing came to April’s rescue for an unexpected festival booking. The pair share a charismatic vocal interplay, and musical talents across drums, keys, guitar and bass. Their material offers a uniquely independent feel, melding the 2000s rock sound of Jimmy Eat World and Blink182 to the commercial singer-songwriter energies of Taylor Swift and Paramore.
In the studio, False Heights are a duo, but their live performances boast an exciting expanded band. Their fierce, high-energy shows have seen them open for acts like Pat Benatar and ZZ Top, as well as take the stage of major festivals including Rhythm and Vines and Sanctuary Sounds. In 2022, their eclectic EP Too Afraid To Try established a rapidly growing audience, who resonate with their “warm and fuzzy… pop sensibility” (Muzic NZ) and storytelling of navigating young adulthood.