Review: Polly’s Maybe
Polly
Maybe
Independent
Perth indie rock three-piece Polly have taken another big step forward with the release of their sophomore EP, Maybe.
Based in North Fremantle, Polly formed in 2024 and released their debut single, Spin, later that year. Since then, the group have continued building momentum with headline shows around the country and support slots for some of Australia’s biggest acts while also securing festival appearances at Rolling Sets, BIGSOUND and Spilt Milk later this year. Now, almost a year since the release of their debut EP, All I Want, they have returned with a new project that offers a different side of the band, driven by emotion, experimentation and heart.
From the first seconds of Shut Up, it’s clear that Maybe is going to be special. The drop into an emotionally charged intro with a soaring lead pulls at the heartstrings, accentuated by a steady drumbeat and heavy bass tone that carry throughout the track. It’s easy to imagine a huge crowd singing along to the chorus, showing the song has the potential to be a real standout in Polly’s live set. A fitting opening track, Shut Up feels like it’s introducing the new Polly, showing how much they’ve developed as songwriters.
Next up, Tell Your Friends features Polly at a slower pace, with the track solidifying the sonic vision of the EP. The gritty bass sound in the intro melds perfectly with the fat synths, while the verses provide a dynamic shift that allows for a cathartic release as they return in the chorus. There’s something so inherently catchy about the lead guitar. The rise and fall of the bend, which is emulated by the vocal melody in chorus, creates a cohesion and a buildup within the track. There’s a major payoff in the final moments of the song, where the lead is brought up another octave, and the track goes out with a bang.
Doubt, the lead single from the project, is punchy out of the gate, with huge lead riffs that come out of nowhere and that classic Polly feel heard throughout their debut EP. As a faster-paced tune, reminiscent of 2022 Spacey Jane, the song is really an anthem. Laden with harmonies and a powerful vocal delivery from singer/guitarist Will Lintott, it feels like a release of power and energy, creating a major dynamic shift within the EP.
Forget You is perhaps the strongest song on the project. The ballad-like track is injected with raw emotion and has one of the band’s catchiest choruses to date. It’s a song that many in Polly’s audience can relate to, with themes of struggling to let go while not wanting to look back. Layered guitars are peppered throughout, accentuated by dreamy synth pads and rich vocal melodies that evoke a sense of longing and reflection on a different level to what Polly has done before.
The closer, Hit, is a song that feels fresh. Reminiscent of Wunderhorse’s Atlantis, the moody track is driven by a shuffle that pushes it along. It builds to a big chorus with chunky sub-bass tones and guitar leads, with vocal harmonies that lift the song up from the far reaches of the track’s soundscape. The placement of this song on the EP works perfectly. It feels reflective. It feels like a closer. And it’s a great way to cap off a brilliant collection of tunes.
You can always tell when a track is produced by Andy Lawson. And it’s not just that big ol’ snare—the mix right across the EP is massive. From soaring vocals and guitar leads to the grittiest bass tones, Lawson and Polly have produced a sound that is strikingly original while staying true to the roots that make the band special. The punchy drums elevate each track, while the use of sub-bass throughout creates a powerful soundscape. Combined with the varied use of synth across the board, it comes together to create a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere that lifts each song to another tier.
Maybe is a beautiful conveyance of emotion and perfectly encapsulates the experience and tribulations of growing up. One of the best releases to come out of Perth all year.
DARCY POTTER