When indie musician Dylan Forshner puts his mind to something, watch out. The Toronto artist (now based here in Niagara) started learning to play guitar, and then was already performing live on stages less than a year after. Fueled by ambition and a newfound support in the Toronto music scene, Dylan continues to forge forward and has just released his debut EP, Hopeless Optimism.
“Hopeless Optimism tells autobiographical stories about depression, heartbreak & love,” Dylan says of his new release. “Acoustic driven with various unique elements such as mellotron, glockenspiel & a suitcase used as kick drum.”
The EP kicks off with “Under Control,” a indie pop-tinged folk song, with hooky claps and backups that make it an infectious way to get listeners locked in and ready for the rest of the release. “It’ll Be A Great Day” is a moodier track, with fuzzy style to the vocals and an impressive depth of sound. From there, “Gimme Some Love” is a song that really stands out, especially due to the stylistic changes throughout. The verses have a mellow, doomier quality with an almost Elliot Smith vibe, while the chorus brightens up with the catchy “I want it, I need it” refrain. This one is sure to be a live favourite.
Jess Knight’s fantastic vocals are a welcome addition to “You’re The One,” which is just a lovely and accessible song. The Hopeless Optimism EP wraps up with “Wasn’t Satisfied,” which might be my personal favourite of the release. There’s a great alt rock edge to this one, solid pacing, and cool vocal style. Yet another catchy track, but with added grit that really sets this song apart. It’s a quick song, so you might want to play it twice. Three times, if you want the full effect.
Overall, Hopeless Optimism is a balanced mix of indie rock, folk, and singer-songwriter styles, with a splash of indie-pop for good measure.
Stream Hopeless Optimism, the new EP by Dylan Forshner on your preferred platform:
Spotify / Bandcamp / Apple Music
Follow Dylan Forshner on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok
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