Simultaneously hopeful and melancholy, New Zealand husband and wife duo Paper Cranes have returned with their delicate folk sound for the release of their new album Voices.
Paper Cranes is the project of New Zealand-based husband and wife duo Fraser and Naomi Browne, whose latest album Voices delves into themes of togetherness and belonging.
The band released their debut EP Oh, Love! in 2012, and their album The Road Home in 2015. While their latest album Voices draws influences from the band’s old sound, thematically the album is lighter and more hopeful than the duo’s previous releases.
Delving into themes of togetherness and relationships, Paper Cranes’ latest album is heavily influenced by the dichotomies between darkness and light, doubt and freedom, the changing seasons, decisions that influence us and the search for truth. The duo utilises a diverse range of instruments to produce their unique brand of folk, including the Japanese traditional instrument the shakuhachi, ukuleles, mandolins, ocarinas, harmonicas and accordion.
Says band member Fraser Browne of the release:
“People’s words can build walls or break them down. Voices shape everything around us. When we’re born we hear the voice of our maker–a voice of warmth and love. As we grow, there are competing voices throughout our life –whetherrelationally, politically, in social media or the news, people fight for our attention and to convince us of their truths. And the memories of words spoken to us can be powerful forces –negative and positive. Some voices around us are strong and can drown out the quietness and peacefulness of others, and in our journey, we constantly have to sift through the words of others that are lies, mistruths or judgements, and find voices of freedom.”
You can stream Voices via Bandcamp below:
Paper Cranes will embark on a national tour of New Zealand to support Voices. Check out the dates below:
Jan 18 Auckland – The Wine Cellar
Jan 19 Tauranga – Folk
Jan 26 Hamilton – Festival One
Jan 27 Hamilton – Festival One
Feb 1 Dunedin – Dog with Two Tails
Feb 2 Christchurch – Lyttleton Records
Feb 7 Wellington – Meow
Feb 8 Palmerston North – Globe Theatre
Feb 9 Whanganui – Lucky Bar + Kitchen
Feb 10 Hastings – The Common Room
Voices is out on January 18 via Little Cranes Productions.
