HinnRYK – It All Comes Alive (Album Review)

What if Twenty One Pilots were from Iceland?

HinnRYK and their new album It All Comes Alive is a solid demonstration of how things would look with a couple of more personally funky tweaks. Who is HinnRYK, essentially?

They are a musical duo from Iceland who emerged onto the scene in 2024 with a vibrant blend of funk, pop, R&B, and rap. This band comprises two talented musicians—The Baron, residing in Iceland, and Daniel Gray, based in Norway. Their music draws inspiration from a variety of genres and generally defies categorization.

With what seems to be a debut record, It All Comes Alive continues from the very first seconds to do what they do best: dive into infectious grooves, soaring melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics. However, my main question remains: is this record as genre-challenging as it was promoted?

Yes, absolutely.

The intro track, “She’s A Zero,” first gives you a taste of the catchy, rhythmic pop-like hook that transitions into a more formidable sound with some introspective rap delivery that catches and loops you inevitably into its hook.

“She’s A Zero” is not the only example that indicates how diverse and multi-dimensional the sound of this album is.

It All Comes Alive is not afraid of vulnerability or melodic moments, nor is it afraid to be direct and raw. The duo experiments with their sound, leveraging both their strengths and weaknesses from one track to the next. However, one thing is clear from track to track: the rapping is top-tier.

The energy of the vocals ranges from snarling to haunting on tracks like “Land Of Dreams,” which is simply exceptional. Even more notable is how the rapper’s style is not confined to one single type of beat, as is often the case with many rappers.

Furthermore, it is quite refreshing to hear more Scandinavian influence in the music nowadays, especially in their rapping ventures. The bouncy yet, at times, minimalistic production showcases more than needed, seamlessly expanding the narrative. Somehow, all these different influences—ranging from indie rock to pop-rap—give the band a new signature style that remotely reminds you of Twenty One Pilots, yet with understated soft beats that easily get you into that toe-tapping movement.

A blend of authentic tones and timeless influences feels cinematic and immersive, even though the tracks don’t always share a consistent sonic direction. The only thing uniting these tracks is the curiosity and authenticity you get from the artists, and the charm of tunes like “This Error,” which brings a brooding, introspective sound.

With 12 tracks on the record and a runtime of 41 minutes, the duo also delivers some empowering and dynamic sounds—among my favorites on the record are tracks like “Let Me In,” which is simply breathtaking, offering a hypnotic and expansive feel that stands out as a highlight. The Baron’s vocals on some of these hooks are charming, greatly complementing Gray’s impressive wordplay. Performances like “Let Me In” or “Not My Game” are moments where The Baron shines as brightly as a young star.

Going through such a concise and diverse tracklist, it’s hard to pinpoint any significant failures. Both members execute solidly, providing a very decent debut record that blends mainstream appeal with expansive, challenging sounds in one package. If I had to define what this record tries to achieve, I would say it’s an attempt to create a unique fusion of diverse influences that take pop-rap in an intriguing direction.

While I may not dig into some of the cuts toward the latter part of the album—tracks that feel a bit too soft and slightly less dynamic and energetic in their delivery—this doesn’t take away from the numerous advantages this album offers or the potential these guys truly have. I feel this record demonstrates that the duo can deliver an insane mix of layered, contemplative, and sometimes minimalistic sounds that feel both relatable and lush.

Score/Excellent: These guys prove throughout the record that they can make music in every way they want, achieving an immersive and excellent experience that is incredibly intricate.

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