This Week's Releases

This week's latest and greatest…

Paul Kelly - Life Is Fine (EMI)

The bold chords of the opening piano passage in Rising Moon immediately jump out, forming a strong foundation to what eventually turns into a formidable sonic landscape. Guitars, organ and backing vocals all mesh together in a huge sound and the album goes tearing out the gates. Paul Kelly's latest release is eclectic, as is evident even in the first two tracks. Finally Something Good lends itself to Kelly's songwriting - specifically to his lyricism - as do Firewood And Candles, Leah: The Sequel and Letter In The Rain. Fans of his formative work and 'classics' may not be completely sold on some of the material, however anyone who has followed his musical journey will surely see this as yet another powerful stride forward.

"Kelly's writing still resonates with powerful imagery and vivid settings, as well as the occasional and familiar injection of faith and religion for good measure." - Lukas Murphy. Album Of The Week, four stars. Read more…  

Jen Cloher - Jen Cloher (Milk Records/Remote Control)

This is album number four for Jen Cloher and in keeping with the title and stark artwork - featuring Cloher naked and with guitar - it is her most honest, clear-cut and autobiographical release to date.

So many songwriters cloud their ideas and experiences in metaphors and diversionary tactics, but Cloher goes straight for the literal and personal, detailing the trials and tribulations of extended periods apart from her partner (and guitarist) Courtney Barnett, suburban malaise, gay marriage, Dirty Three and the shallowness and strain of the music industry. It amounts to an internal and external state of the nation address, delivered with poetic poise and intellectual observation.

"Her most honest, clear-cut and autobiographical release to date." - Chris Familton, four stars. Read more… 

Read more - Jen Cloher: Never Gonna Be The Joy To Courtney's Slim Dusty

The Preatures - Girlhood (Universal)

On these tracks, frontwoman Isabella "Izzi" Manfredi is more vulnerable and exposed than ever before, her voice floating over emotive instrumentals, and delivering some of her best songwriting to date. The rest of the band - producer and guitarist Jack Moffitt, drummer Luke Davison and bassist Thomas Champion - inject the new album with a palpable energy.

"The contradictions of being a woman in this day and age are not only expressed lyrically, but are reflected sonically." - Madelyn Tait, four stars. Read more…