We Are the Birdcage first captured my imagination in March with their sweet single “Two Left Feet.” They make good on the promise I heard there with their debut EP Little Father Time.
In six tracks, the Sydney duo firmly establishes their sound. It’s folky, with gorgeous harmonies at the fore. The music is simple, but it swells unexpectedly as the tunes hit their emotional crescendo. The whole thing is really beautiful, accessible and well-crafted with few rough edges. Critics might call it too gentle and cruisy, but there’s something so appealing about the sweetness most of the tracks convey.
Not that We Are the Birdcage are incapable of digging down and finding some extra grit. “Much Too Small” is my favourite song from the recording as taps into that emotional core and ups the intensity. That extra dirt is so compelling. I loved the other songs, but adored this.
I was enjoying Amanda’s K’s vocals so much that it was a bit jarring to hear the twosome switch things up for the closing track “Carry the Fire.” It’s a gorgeous song, but that dominant male voice doesn’t quite gel with the rest of the recording. That’s really the only blemish on this EP though. Little Father Time is a gorgeous journey through We Are the Birdcage, and a hint at the brilliance that’s yet to come.
The five-track EP builds on the fuzzy, harmonica spiced blues the band delivered on their first EP. The mates from Ocean Grove have such as appealing dirtiness about their sound that music lovers young and old can’t help but get on board.
Sydney rock act 
e fifth annual Soundscape Festival is shaping up to be the best yet, with The Temper Trap, Missy Higgins, and Bluejuice all taking their place on the bill.
There’s some local joy on the ARIA charts this week, with two local releases topping the singles and ARIA charts.