Prepare to be taken by the latest offering from Really Nice, a Sydney band specialising in an eclectic mix of Alternative R&B, Indie, and Rap. Their single “Thistles” takes you on a journey that opens with soft ambience, progressing to clarity and thereafter into a rhythmic, catchy masterpiece.
The track opens with a soft, almost whispering atmosphere, akin to the calm before the storm. As these vocal layers begin to accumulate, the general dreamy feeling of the track takes over, and somehow you just feel like you’re there; yes, right there where all these ethereal melodies and down-to-earth rhythms dance together in harmony. That layered vocal, with both Ryan and Chelsea, comes with a little bit of lushness to it, being both inviting and captivating.
Really Nice is a combination of the talented band members: Ryan, lead vocals and samples; Chelsea, lead and backing vocals; Tom W., drums; Jon, guitar and backing vocals; Jess, bass; Ayush, guitar; and Tom S., sax. The resulting sound that these guys come up with is just a rich soundscape, as dynamic as it is cohesive. Really Nice started as a creative treasure chest, founded by vocalist and rapper Ryan Collings. The lo-fi anthem “Swim,” released in 2020, carries the essence of emerging sounds into a unique combination of soulful melodies, sharp lyrical consciousness, and eclectic beats. Their style can be best defined as “diverse and dynamic” to pay tribute to their influences, ranging from Frank Ocean and Bon Iver to Dijon, SZA, and Winston Surfshirt.
“Thistles” was recorded between Ryan’s home studio and Studios 301. He produced the song himself; mixed and mastered by Jess Dess, who also plays bass. The whole ethos of the song is one big cross-bred affair. Taking elements from two massively contrasting genres such as Folk and Rap and letting them breathe in Ryan’s world—what comes out is an acoustic backdrop that is so lush it’s almost tangible, with ear-shaking sub-bass. Think a lot like Kanye West’s beats and Bibio’s acoustic guitars with that of Bon Iver and Sigur Rós in their ethereal ambience.
One thing to note in the recording process is the work that was put into the vocals by Ryan. The lead vocal didn’t cut it compared to the demo, so Ryan tracked about 160 tracks of vocals with different harmonies. Jess then had the unenviable job of weaving all those tracks into some sort of coherent sound. The intro felt a bit lost but was completely sorted with Tom S’s sax added; it filled in and just completed this track with that extra layer of richness.
As Ryan looked back at the journey and personal value of “Thistles,” he shared, “”When my Grandfather passed away 15 years ago, we started writing this song… Although never a complete song, the chorus stayed with us across the years, during which time we lost more people we love. About 3 years ago, we picked it up, and it had evolved beyond a song about loss; It was now also a celebration of life, and gaining new generations as the old ones pass away. If you connect with this, that means a lot to us. Love, Ryan Collings”
This year, Really Nice has performed at great venues including Lazybones, 3 Wise Monkeys, Factory Theatre, and Hibernian House, always lighting up the stage with their fierce sound and great performances, feeding off the energy of the most enthusiastic crowds. A touch of home-grown charm in Really Nice’s professional journey would be a rehearsal room—sometimes even Jon’s garage or recently Ryan and Chelsea’s new living room, where their 8-month-old daughter loves to hang out.
“Thistles” is a plethora of mixing genres, emotional connections, and innovative, deeply personal music. Whether you’re a Really Nice fan or new to their sound, expect this single to make an impression that sticks. So take a minute, put on those headphones, and let the paths of “Thistles” drift you to where music and emotion get enveloped ever so carefully.
You can listen to ‘Thistles’ below: