Take Your Light
Little Scout
9-out-of-10
Brisbane, Australia's Little Scout worked diligently to make their first full length release a memorable and attractive affair. Spending years building relationships and experience, they took the plunge in 2011 with their LP Take Your Light, an ethereal and hook filled dream pop expedition.
Straddling the line directly between dream and pop unlike most bands in the "dream pop" genre, Little Scout expel cathartic, relaxing songs that carry their weight with melodics and hooks galore. The album passes easily in a hazy blur, mixing down tempo beats with up tempo rhythm.
The opening track, "In the Air", sets the mood for the length of the record, with a heavy vocal presence and the flowing soundscape follows mainly throughout. Singer Melissa Tickle's haunting and fragile voice carry the songs, providing the perfect balance between the all of the elements.
Some songs take on a heavy pop feel, while others linger and flirt with melodramatic feelings and large sounds. I especially like how no song goes too heavily towards one side of this spectrum. Centered strongly and never going overboard, Little Scout seems to know exactly how to remain in control of the music while still allowing us to get lost in it.
Highlight tracks for me were "We Are Walking Out", "Know Your Exit", and "Long Gone".
I can't think of one negative thing to say about this record. Little Scout succeeded in creating a record that gives an otherworldly experience while remaining accessible and interesting. If you find yourself needing to escape for a little while pick up Take Your Light and go on a short journey, Little Scout will deliver you safe and sound.
-SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU
The Necessary Dark
Ordinary Neighbors
8-out-of-10
I found the idea behind Ordinary Neighbors' The Necessary Dark extremely intriguing. What started out being simple folk songs based around poetry and short fiction written by band mate Susanna Childress turned into an experiment in sound and an exploration into the endless possibilities of layering tracks. Packaged and executed beautifully, Ordinary Neighbors go where few dare.
Necessary Dark begins with "Anaphora", a song that almost feels like a prologue of a play. A repeated bass line and drum beat are the foundation for choir and melodies dowsed in feedback, an eerie mood is set by the repetitive nature of the song.
Using synths and programmed drums as well as acoustic instruments, most heavy with effects, the songs are built up and broken down within bars. Various unidentifiable sounds are constantly creeping in the background while haunting vocals chant brilliant lyrics. I think the broken structure of the poetry lends itself easily to the loose instrumental frame.
Throughout The Necessary Dark the listener is transported to a variety of moods and environments, most however being darker in nature. This album is another suitable for the escapist listener, where time is set aside to enjoy the story told and the way it is conveyed. It's definitely original in its style and a refreshing take on ambient experiments.
-SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU
