I don't usually review stuff that has already exploded (at least as much as largely-acoustic alterna-pop can explode), but this is a strikingly idiosyncratic and magnetic set.

hey, nothing Maine EP (Good Luck Have Fun Records)

My first clue that hey, nothing had something going was noticing that the duo sold 1000 vinyl copies of this EP in less than a month. That pretty amazing. The millions of listens on Spotify are another indicator that the fuse has been lit.

So, why? Eclectic and intensely personal acoustic musings are the rage with a certain set of folks, my oldest son included. Most of the time I keep waiting for something more profound than whining, and I'm generally disappointed. But hey, nothing observes not only the vicissitudes of the lives of 20 somethings but adds a layer of perspective. The ability to acknowledge the absurdity of self-absorption (even while in its throes) is where hey, nothing transcends.

Oh, and the musical ideas within these songs are deceptively simple. There's a lot more going on than a first listen would indicate. I feel fairly confident in saying that the improbable early success of hey, nothing has a real shot finding some staying power. In any case, these are songs worth hearing. And, yes, even worth absorbing.

Jon Worley