This Australian band is moving in a poppier direction, which is still effective as they are writing pop songs with a great deal of heart and thought invested in them. Unlike most actual pop artists, they do not have a team of producers and songwriters but hash things out as a band, with the guitar still at the forefront of what they are doing, though the sugar-coated vocals of Hannah Joy are pushed further into the spotlight. It is generally upbeat, though with introspective lyrics that are sometimes self-deprecating. The album is well produced and while sonically falling somewhere between HAIM and Boygenius, they are not quite as radio-ready as Haim even on more anthemic songs like "The Blessings", but this plays to their favor since most radio sucks.
"Bootleg Firecracker" is not far removed from Taylor Swift's more organic moments, though Joy's vocal style is a little more indie folk here. She is not going for anthemic choruses either. There is a little more of a rock feel to "Highlands" The vocals are still really catchy, but the emphasis shifts a little toward the guitar riffs. 'Bend" finds Hannah strumming her way through what at first feels like a ballad until it gains more dynamic traction. The bass line to "Go to Sleep on Me" takes more prominence. When the guitar comes in it feels more like the Cure's poppier moments. There is an indie rock shuffle to "Terrible News ". They continue to prove themselves lyrically superior to the bulk of pop music with songs like "Philosophy".
"Your Side Forever" is a little more of an honest and vulnerable take on pop. The last song is more of a ballad, that sets the stage for a duet with Gang of Youth's David Le'aupepe, which works well enough for what it is for this album. Overall I will give this album a 9.5, and see how it sits with me, it is going to be hard to beat in terms of pop, and perhaps it's perfection will become clearer with more listens as it settles in with me, but a great replacement for the lack of new Haim.
pst39
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