For decades, Cliff Hillis has been a familiar presence in the Philadelphia music scene, but his latest project finds the seasoned songwriter taking a deliberate turn toward more organic territory. The new six-song EP, The Square Route, arrives as a testament to his versatility, blending the melodic power pop he’s known for with strains of Americana, country, and introspective singer-songwriter fare.
Hillis, who has built a career as a singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, and engineer, has long moved between the spotlight and the supporting cast. As a member of The Orchestra—a group featuring former members of Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II—he’s toured Europe, South America, and New Zealand. His resume also includes stints with Eric Bazilian, David Uosikkinen’s In The Pocket, and Patty Smyth and Scandal, not to mention a recurring slot as opener for the Bacon Brothers.
That breadth of experience informs every track on The Square Route. The EP opens with bright guitars and hooks that nod to his power pop roots, but quickly branches out into rock, country, and reflective balladry. The songs are autobiographical to varying degrees, wrestling with questions of direction and presence. “Let yourself go to a place that allows you to grow,” Hillis says of the mindset behind the record.
His influences run deep and wide—Wilco, Cheap Trick, The Beatles, Nick Lowe, and Aimee Mann all surface in the textures and storytelling. But the EP also features notable collaborations that push him into new spaces. Grammy-winner Scot Sax of Wanderlust co-wrote the mischievous “Let’s Get In Some Trouble,” while Nashville’s John Eddie partnered on the country-tinged “My Way of Drinking.”
The studio feel is loose and lived-in, thanks to co-producer Greg Maragos, drummer Patrick Berkery, and Smash Palace’s Steve Butler, who also contributes slide guitar on the sunny title track. “Haunted” leans into Hillis’ affinity for Aimee Mann and producer Jon Brion, featuring a lush string quartet arranged by Louis Clark, Jr., his bandmate in The Orchestra.
Each of the six tracks takes its own route: “Well On Your Way” offers warm, melodic pop with a Wilco-like ease, while “Always Wanting More” uses expressive guitar to frame a meditation on restlessness and possibility. The result is an EP that feels both cohesive and wide-ranging, grounded in the songcraft that has defined Hillis’ career.
Why it matters: In an era of algorithmic playlists and single-track consumption, The Square Route is a reminder that the EP format still allows artists to explore a range of styles while keeping a unified vision. Hillis’ willingness to collaborate and cross genres speaks to a mature artist who remains curious—and that curiosity is exactly what keeps his music vital.
ARTIST
PRESS / BOOKING:
Jennifer Lynn
Jennifer Lynn Productions
+1 484-432-0911
Jfur112@gmail.com
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok
Other
Cliff Hillis “The Square Route” official lyric video
