Change is one of the most turbulent phases a person can experience, and how they handle said change can say a lot about their character. You can shy away from change and opt to stay comfortable or you could welcome the spontaneity of change and adjust your life accordingly without fear. On their latest project, come outside when the lights dim, the undefinable collective Illusion Hills stare down change without blinking and create borderless art packed with pure intentions and open-mindedness. Throughout the 7-song EP, the group gleefully bounces between genres and strikes a balance between blistering tempos and melancholy songwriting. 

What Illusion Hills does best is present their truths through irresistible melodies and flawless hooks. The songwriting on come outside when the lights dim is filled with the innocence of youth with a wise-beyond-their-years approach, the growth from their last project is undeniable. The vocalist of Illusion Hills uses their music to present their growth with unwavering confidence, weaving together thoughtfully poetic verses that are so vulnerable they feel as if they were transcribed from a therapy session. Not only is the lyrical content itself enough to draw you in, but how these words are presented adds an extra layer of color to these potent verses. Track 2 from the project, “Farewell”, is the perfect example of how the group’s unique approach to song structure puts an emphasis on their songwriting. The hook here is catchy and very well-sung while the rap-centered verses are more personal and direct, creating a close connection with the listener without sacrificing their innate nature to incorporate pop-driven hooks that get stuck in your head. 

While their lyrical content strings the project together, Illusion Hills does not cower away from experimentation. The project is broken up by the group’s ability to adapt to different tempos and sonic worlds, allowing them to create a consistent sound without it becoming stale. The stand-out song from this project, “Rebound”, has the group breaking down elements from multiple genres and piecing what’s left into a sound all to their own. The up-tempo track features head-turning production and raw confidence that melt together for the group’s take on the current hyper-pop wave. The song is able to toe the line between braggadocious and sentimental, giving it a juxtaposition that places Illusion Hills in a league of their own. 

Come outside when the lights dim seems like a victory lap for the young collective, an exploration into uncharted territories that allow them to be their most creative and free. The idea of change takes center stage as the young artists gracefully find their footing in the face of adversity, making these 7-songs the best of their careers. 

Check out the full project below: