Songs
Malabar
PF140
Released: 08-03-2013
- Alone When I’m With You
- Boy/Girl
- Looking Without Seeing
- Good Times
- The Country
- Ringing Bells
- Malabar
- Ever Since The Time
- Reprise
After releasing a 4-track EP in 2008 and a stunning debut full-length in 2009, Songs return to the fold with Malabar – an album that represents maturation in songwriting and somewhat of a sonic makeover for the Sydney-based pop quartet.
Since forming in 2007, Songs’ charm has been typified by a lo-fi jangle pop aesthetic, drawing comparisons to AUS and NZ legends such as The Triffids, The Clean and The Go-Betweens.
Their sophomore record still highlights their unique pop sensibilities, but portrays a far rounder, richer, yet more impulsive sound. It’s still the band you fell in love with four years ago, speckled with a fresh slice of imagination and musical improvisation.
Propelled by songwriters Ela Stiles and Max Doyle, on the new album, Max reveals their newfound approach - “We were actually less prepared going into the studio this time so there were more surprises, mostly nice ones.” With their new lineup of Cameron Emerson-Elliot (formerly of Youth Group) on guitar and on drums Ben James (formerly of Talons), Max says that “we were much less restricted and can improvise a lot more now, so we’re a lot less locked down.”
Mesmerising and enchanting, Malabar is the staple of a band that endorse the past and embrace the future.
What critics said about Songs’ debut self-titled album:
“Songs is the Greatest Album I Have Heard This Year...and quite possibly this decade. Not that music is a competition, you understand. Ten stars. A hundred stars. A shimmering, cascading universe-full.” – Everett True on The Vine
“Songs fit well within the current ‘90s revivalist movement, but this band is much more than a fickle throwback.” – Dom Alessio on Mess + Noise
