If you don’t yet know the name Tommy Hynes, consider this your official initiation. Hynes is that rare breed of composer-songwriter who seems to live at the intersection of mischief and melody. He’s Australian by origin, cinematic by instinct, and judging by this new release, delightfully unafraid to coat a pop hook in a bit of blood. With “Ding Dong Die,” his three-track Halloween EP written for the forthcoming Canadian horror-comedy, Hynes delivers scenes with this project. The EP’s world is brash, candy-coated, and slightly possessed, and Hynes strolls into it with the confidence of a man who can arrange terror and tenderness with the same set of hands. Join me for a track-by-track journey into the EP’s jagged, playful heart.
The title track “Ding Dong Die” opens with the swagger of a horror musical’s showstopper. Hynes’s performance is sharp and delicious, emoting heartbreak with a wink. His delivery has a theatrical edge, leaning into the “venom-sweet breakup anthem” energy without losing emotional sincerity. Production-wise, it blends beautiful rock elements with a knife-flick of horror scoring. It’s polished but playful and dark without drowning in itself. The result is a breakup song that feels like it should be performed with fake blood and a spotlight, exactly the kind of arch drama Hynes excels at.
The EP’s second track, “No Candy For,” is its boldest swing. Hynes goes full character actor here with his vocal delivery teetering between sardonic humor and unhinged delight. It’s the most theatrical of the three tracks, and he commits completely. There’s a villainous charisma in how he shapes the words, like a storyteller who enjoys the audience squirming. The production complements the performance with cartoonishly sinister touches. This track is the EP’s sharpest commentary piece, poking at privilege and exclusion through a Halloween sugar-high filter.
Finally, the EP closes with “Hex Me Later,” which is a smoldering look back through the keyhole. This track is catchy. Hynes’ vocals shift here are soft and simmer, floating over the track like they’re hovering under a blacklight. He leans into a powerful performance where every word is colored with a sense of want and warning. The production invites you into an enchanted soundscape as it perfectly transports that moment when affection turns into temptation and temptation sprouts fangs.
As a cohesive EP, “Ding Dong Die” demonstrates Hynes’ fluency in cinema and rock. It’s rare for a soundtrack-inspired project to feel this standalone, but Hynes pulls it off effortlessly. His performance throughout is confident, charismatic, and deeply story-driven. You can hear the composer’s instincts in every structural choice, but you can also hear the songwriter’s heart beating underneath. That blend is what gives the EP its special personality.
Listen to the “Ding Dong Die” EP on Spotify
Follow Tommy Hynes here for more information
