Oztix | News | This One Time, On Bandcamp: Paper Thin

Paper Thin — Newcastle, NSW

Paper Thin only formed a little over a year ago, in April 2016, but they've been swift to establish themselves as a vibrant and vociferous force among the local emo/pop-punk ranks.

Given that their debut self-titled EP landed within a few months of their inception, and its first single Hotel Spencer nabbed airplay on triple j at the same time, perhaps that shouldn't be surprising; after all, they've sprung forth from a community renowned for its DIY work ethic and dedication to crafting earnest, heartfelt songs that strike a relatable chord. But, more than that, they've eked out a distinct space for themselves amid what can be a pretty crowded scene.

Sure, there are some evident influences there — the unapologetic Aussie drawl recalls the likes of The Smith Street Band or The Hard Aches, the frequently conversational lyrical tone not that far removed from the writing style plied by Modern Baseball — but at no stage do Paper Thin ever feel derivative, instead feeling as if they have something to add to the existing pantheon of acts that wear their hearts and anxieties on their sleeves.

As good as their debut EP is, their impending follow-up, Living With. Being Without., is shaping up to be even better, its first two tunes demonstrating tangible growth from that first collection of songs, a remarkable jump forward given the relatively short period of time that has passed between releases.

Their most recent single, When You Call, hits all the right notes for a successful feelgood sad-boy jam, from the downcast clean-channel arpeggios and thunderous opening stop-start drums to the tried-and-true tactic of draaaaaaaaaagging those lyriiiiiiiics ooooooout (comprehensively not a bad thing; it's a tactic wielded by several emo greats, including flagbearers like Mineral, Sunny Day Real Estate and Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)). As a bonus, the backing vocals from Sydney singer-songwriter Grace Turner provide an extra degree of sweetness to the soundscape, juxtaposing nicely with the raw but endearing leads.

The band will be launching the single at a free co-headline show with Speakeasy this coming Wednesday, 16 August, at the Hamilton Station Hotel. They'll be supported by Zen Haircuts, Silver Lining and Elk Locker.

If you miss them then, don't worry — Paper Thin and Speakeasy also have shows lined up on Saturday 19 August at Canberra's Front Gallery, and Sunday 20 August at The Record Crate, in Sydney. Paper Thin are also on the bill for this year's Weekender fest in Melbourne, so you've ample opportunity to catch them on the way up because, trust me, that is the direction they are headed. See their Facebook for more details.

Paper Thin's Living With. Being Without. will be released via Sydney DIY label Lost Boy Records on Wednesday 13 September. Give some of their goodies a spin below, and, as is the point of this entire exercise, check out their Bandcamp page for more.