Category: Album Reviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“XIII” – Cloves

At just 19 years of age, Melbourne singer-songwriter Cloves has created one of the most impressive debut EPs I’ve heard all year. The title XIII gives nothing away, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I pressed play. However, what I received was some of the most intimate and beautiful songs I’ve heard in some time.

Cloves drew me in instantly with her heartfelt songs about love and loss, all-too fleeting romance and the heartache that lingers. The subject matter isn’t new, but in these songs she brings some freshness to familiar terrain. I love the simplicity of these songs. With just a little acoustic guitar here, the gentle strains of a piano there, Cloves’ beautiful, rich voice and poignant lyrics are at the fore. The single “Frail Love” drew me in instantly, but every song on this four-track EP is superb. It’s seem mean to single any out, because each one is just so special.

Apparently XIII was written with the aid of Lana Del Ray, regular Sia collaborator Justin Parker, and Rich Cooper, who’s worked with Tom Odell and Mumford and Sons, just to name a few. Their influences are apparent; I can hear a lot of similarities between Cloves and Lana Del Ray’s work, yet I feel the songs are a little more accessible than those of the British chanteuse.

XIII is out now. Cloves will support its release with shows supporting British songbird Soak in January.

6 January 2016 – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
8 January 2016 – Newtown Social Club, Sydney

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Wild Love” – Jake Bosci

Queensland pop-rock act Jake Bosci has taken me back to my teens with his new EP Wild Love.

This collection of six songs has me feeling nostalgic for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the tracks tackle themes which tap into teenage me. They speak of big loves that promise to last the test of time, heartache that rips your guts out, warring parents that just make you want to run away from it all. It’s been a long while since I’ve experienced that kind of turmoil firsthand, but you never forget it.

The sound also has me reminiscing. It reminds me of that period in the early noughties where acts like John Mayer, Gavin Degraw, Teddy Geiger, and Ryan Cabrera were just breaking through. Like these artists, Jake Bosci wears his heart on his sleeve and delivers songs with such earnest intent that even when the lyrics get a little cheesy, you believe them. By the time the closing track, the epic “Let Love Go,” rolled around I was hooked.

I do wish Wild Love was a little less produced though. Too often the production overshadows the vocals, almost as if Jake doesn’t trust in his own voice enough. I’d love to hear these songs really stripped back, even in acoustic mode, because they really are solid. The wonderful single “Heartbreak” heads in this direction, but the vocals still aren’t pure enough for my tastes.

Jake Bosci’s EP Wild Love is available on iTunes now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Eager Hearts” – Hollywood Heartache

It might come as a surprise considering that I run a music blog, but I believe music doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. Of course I love music that gets you in the gut and really moves you to the core. But I can also appreciate music that just feels good to listen to. It might be dismissed as lightweight and overly commercial by other music blogs, but I think there’s certainly a place for music that’s nothing but fun. So while an overly critical music blogger might scoff at the pop-rock stuff Hollywood Heartache has put together for their debut EP Eager Hearts, I can get on board.

With song titles like “High School Sweetheart” and the single “Summer Romance,” you kind of know what you’re getting here. The songs are aimed squarely at a tween to teen audience, predominantly female, who’ll happily sing along to all those “woah ho hos” and “yeah yeahs.” They plumb familiar ground of falling in love and getting your heart broken. These aren’t the kind of songs that are going to change the world. But they’re bound to worm themselves into the hearts of the listening public who can hear their own stories in the tracks.

I think what I love most about Hollywood Heartache is the truth that comes through what they do. On the surface the music they’re making might not seem too dissimilar from what One Direction have been doing, and what the Jonas Brothers did before them, and what countless other groups of cute young things did before that. But this Gold Coast four-piece have written these songs, played their own instruments, and laid it all down in a home studio. Engineering, mixing, and mastering; again it was all them. This is a band not put together and moulded by a corporate music giant, but just a group of guys creating music for the love of it.

Hollywood Heartache might just look back at Eager Hearts and cringe at its sentimentality, but I think it perfectly captures a moment in time that even older cynics can remember. It’s not earth-shattering music, but it shows the bare bones of a band that have the talent to evolve into true musical forces.

Eager Hearts is out now. Hollywood Heartache is supporting its release with the following all ages shows.

12 December 2015 – The Lab, Brisbane
19 December 2015 – Wrangler Studios, Melbourne
20 December 2015 – The Bluebee Room, Adelaide
22 December 2015 – The Bald Faced Stagg, Sydney

Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Psalm IV: Den Sista Sorgen” – Lindsay Phillips

Folk’s one of my favourite genres, but I don’t often hear a voice that brings something new to the mix. Lindsay Phillips does that with songs that he dubs Gothic folk on his new album Psalm IV: Den Sista Sorgen.

I could imagine a king’s servant playing this sort of stuff in a medieval court. There’s a real romance about the songs, which make reference to royalty, honour, and sacrifice. The lyrics are truly poetic. Lindsay’s rich deep voice is also something I haven’t heard from a lot of folk singers. The opening song “Two Princes” drew me in immediately. “Mourning of a Golden Age” also really resonated with me. It painted such a vivid picture in my mind when I heard it.

I do love stripped back songs anchored by the strum of an acoustic guitar. However, as the album wore on I found myself wanting to hear a little bit more, some light and shade, some variation. While the lyrics were so well crafted the melodies started to feel a little samey.

Psalm IV: Den Sista Sorgen is a bit of a snowflake in the modern folk scene. I appreciate its uniqueness, and it shows Lindsay Phillips has certainly got talent. But I think I would have loved it more as an EP. As a full-length album, there’s just not enough variety to keep me interested.

Psalm IV: Den Sista Sorgen is available now from Lindsay Phillips’ Bandcamp page.

Image source: Lindsay Phillips Bandcamp page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Brisneyland” – MofoIsDead

I’ve gotten into the habit of listening to a little music and blogging while I work on other projects. It’s usually a good way for me to figure out what floats my boat and what’s getting binned, so I can make sure this blog gets updated without my other deadlined work getting neglected. Usually the music works in the background. I might get drawn out for a moment or two, but rarely does it steal focus from the other things I’m doing.

And then there’s Brisneyland, the new EP from Brisbane’s alternative rock act MofoIsDead. This is the sort of recording that refuses to fade into the background or be ignored. It’s anthemic, epic, and loud. Or at least it should be. Listening to it at a decent volume while I attempted to focus on something else just didn’t feel right.

So I gave up trying to do anything else and just listened to the music. I love the way this band plays with light and shade. They can turn it up, and they invariably do. But before the chunky guitar riffs kick in on opening track “Plutocracy,” there’s a delicate violin. When we’re not treated to driving drums and blisteringly fast guitar licks there are moments of quiet reflection, space for the songs to breathe. “Mournography” is a beautiful instrumental number, a tribute to vocalist Paul Galagher’s best friend who passed away during the recording of “Brisneyland.” Paul’s vocals deserve a special mention. He’s got one of the strongest rock voices I’ve heard in some time, and it elevates these already strong songs into the stratosphere.

Brisneyland drops on November 20. Look out for it, because it’s an absolute cracker.

Image used with permission from Collision Course

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Home Movies” – Kevin Dolan

After hearing Kevin Dolan’s song “Modern Times” a week ago, I couldn’t wait to listen to EP it was lifted from, Home Movies. I’ve played it twice this morning, and it’s proven to be just the music I needed to hear to wind down on a Friday.

Actually, it’s just the sort of music I like to hear at any time. This six-track collection has everything I loved about the single but that bit more. You can enjoy a song on its own for what it is, but when you hear an EP like this you start feeling like you’re getting to know the artist.

As you might expect from an EP penned by an Irishman living in Australia, themes of displacement and longing run through Home Movies. Beautiful songs like “Gone” and the EP’s closer “The Station,” in which Kevin sings with only his acoustic guitar as support, really resonated with me. But there’s a much cheekier side to his music too which he showcases on the Gaelic blues track “Fairytale Blues #3.” I’m not quite sure how the musical influences of this song marry so well, but he manages to pull it off.

Home Movies is real, raw, and beautiful. Kevin Dolan’s husky voice isn’t perfect, but his flaws make this recording feel that much more honest and compelling. He’s a storyteller, the kind of artist we don’t hear enough of these days. Home Movies is a wonderful introduction to his music.

Home Movies is available on November 1. Kevin Dolan will support it with a show at Melbourne’s Bar Open on November 15.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Preparing for Flight” – Dan Flynn and the State of Things

Melbourne singer-songwriter Dan Flynn has shed the Major Chord moniker behind and joined new outfit, the State of Things. They’ve just released a new album called Preparing for Flight.

From the opening number “Heavy Lies the Crown,” where he sings “Come walk with me,” Dan Flynn invites listeners into his world, and I followed gladly. I felt hypnotised by his rich soothing voice and the gentle acoustic guitars that anchored each song. I loved the organic arrangements, and fell for the way his voice harmonises with Meabh Friel. The gentle, folky sounds of this album were just what I needed to hear on this lazy Sunday.

But then I realised there was a little more going on that I’d first thought. While listening to sweet songs where Dan compares someone’s love to a “Blanket in the Snow” and creates beautiful mental images of “Sunny Autumn Weather,” it’s easy to miss the darker underbelly of much of Dan’s music. It’s not long before the sunny autumn weather turns stormy. “Apocalyptic Love Song” might sound as sweet and tender as any romantic ditty, but the end of days setting makes it very different from any other love song. “The State of Things” takes us out of our immediate frustrations to explore some of today’s most pressing social and environmental issues.

Preparing for Flight might sound on the surface like so much mellow folk music, but delve a little deeper and you’ll find songs which aren’t afraid to explore the shadows. It gets richer with each and every listen.

Preparing for Flight is available now from most digital outlets. If you’d prefer a physical copy, you can order yours through Dan Flynn’s Bandcamp page.

Image used with permission from Dan Flynn

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Chords” – Tim Guy

Tim Guy’s fifth studio album has been a long time coming. I reviewed one of its singles, “St Petersburg” way back in June. However the album Chords drops today and it’s been worth the wait.

The first thing that struck me was how easy Chords is to listen to. On my first listen I didn’t even take any notes because I was too busy enjoying it. The Soundcloud link I received tagged it as pop, country rock, and folk rock, which gives you an idea of the album’s diversity. But there’s a lovely warm organic quality to all the songs that helps unify them.

It was so great to hear “St Petersburg” again. I enjoy it as much as I did when I wrote about it all those months ago. The alt-country feel and story behind the lyrics of “The Rambler” really sucked me in. “Electric Heart” is another highlight, with its slide guitar and clap-along rhythm. The retro feel of “Mixed Up Mind” and funky disco-esque groove of “It’s the Weekend!” add more colour to an already eclectic album.

As I mentioned, this is Tim’s fifth studio effort, and that experience anchors this recording. He approaches every song with confidence, no matter what genre he’s flirting with. This is an accomplished effort from one of Australia’s real unsung talents.

Chords is available now from Tim Guy’s Bandcamp page. He’ll play the following launch shows to support its release.

11 November 2015 – The Toff in Town, Melbourne
25 November 2015 – Crown & Sceptre, Adelaide
5 December 2015 – Bearded Tit, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Limbo” – Bad Pony

I’ve had one of those mornings where I’ve spent time chasing my tail answering emails which forced me to go back to work that I thought was behind me. It’s only just gone 9, but I feel like I’ve lost the head start I needed to get the mountain of work I have waiting for me under control.

In amongst the frustration, I thought it would be the perfect time to listen to Bad Pony’s Limbo EP. Every one of the singles I’d listened to put a smile on my face, so I hoped it might temper some of the aggravation I felt.

This five-track EP showed me that Bad Pony are much more than the party band I’d pegged them as. The EP leads with the singles, “Michael Moore,” “Down to You,” and “White Russian.” Listening to them all together like this was a wonderful reminder of just how much I’m digging this band. But then the EP takes a turn and shows Bad Pony can do darkness just as well. The title track “Limbo” is so poignant. The delicate first verse, before the guitars kick in, took my breath away, but it builds beautifully after that. This is a song that packs a real emotional punch. The desperation of closing track “Guard Down” really struck a nerve on this morning where I’m feeling less than chipper.

I liked what I knew of Bad Pony, but the Limbo EP has turned that like to love. It’s a lovely little taster of what this band is all about that has me hanging out for more.

Bad Pony are currently touring the EP all around the East Coast. Here are the places you can still see them play.

16 October 2015 – Beach Hotel, Byron Bay
17 October 2015 – The Farm, Byron Bay
18 October 2015 – Sounds of Sunday @ Broadbeach Tavern, Gold Coast
6 November 2015 – Moonshine Bar, Manly
19-22 November 2015 – Australian Music Week, Cronulla
28 November 2015 – The Roxbury Hotel, Glebe
4 December 2015 – The Pier, Port Macquarie
5 December 2015 – The Small Ballroom, Newcastle
31 December 2015 – New Year’s Eve, Sydney Harbour

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“That Low and Lonesome Sound” – Garrett Kato

I’d hoped with the unseasonally warm weather we’ve been experiencing, I might have seen the last of the colds that have plagued me this winter. However, it seems there was one left in the season, as I’m sitting here congested, achy, and generally feeling miserable. When I feel this way, I look for the musical equivalent of chicken soup. Something nourishing, soothing, and mellow. I found just what I was looking for in That Low and Lonesome Sound, the latest album from Garrett Kato.

Garrett was born in Canada, but he relocated to Byron Bay when he was 23 so I think we can officially claim him as our own now. That’s a good thing too, because his album is one of those ones I really want to write about.

It couldn’t help but note similarities between the music Garrett makes and that of his current touring mate and fellow Byron resident Pete Murray. Perhaps there’s something in the water, because both artists have a similar low-key grooviness about them, and husky, hypnotic vocals. Garrett seems a little more willing to play with genre though, which I find really exciting. I loved the psychedelic touch in “Trouble Will Find Me,” and the folky stillness of “Arkansas.” The intimacy of “More Than Love” really struck me. The closing track “I Wonder Why,” a poignant duet, was the cherry on top of a stunning album.

I listened to That Low and Lonesome Sound in my lounge room, but I really want to take it outside my home and whack it on my car stereo. It feels like the perfect driving soundtrack, a collection of songs that are mellow, organic, with driving drum beats designed to get you to your destination.

That Low and Lonesome Sound is available now. You can see Garrett Kato supporting Pete Murray at venues all around Australia through October, November, and December.