Debut EPs can be hit and miss. Many artists take a while to land on a concrete sound, and therefore, their debut releases often lack direction. Melbourne-based artist Talk Pretty (James Gray), however, is not one of these artists.
With the release of his debut EP Flower Drum, Gray has quickly established himself as one of the Aussie music scene’s more unique and exciting emerging acts. If you’re not already familiar with this name, we strongly recommend you change that.
On his new EP Flower Drum, Melbourne-based artist Talk Pretty presents an experimental and innovative slice of indie-pop brilliance.
Throughout the new EP, Talk Pretty glides through an unusual concoction of synth and indie-pop, crafting a sound uniquely his own. With glitchy, idiosyncratic instrumental arrangements and endearing pop-driven vocal hooks, Flower Drum is brimming with innovation.
Across its four-track duration, the EP pulls in myriad directions—it never sits in one place for too long. On EP opener Seesaw, Gray saunters through sultry guitar flourishes and disorientating synths, creating a sonic universe not quite like anything else you’ve heard before.
This kind of experimentation is a common thread throughout the remainder of the EP. Meet Me On The Dancefloor plays like the soundtrack to some retro, neon-coloured night club, while Map It Out is far more rhythmic and hypnotic.
By the time the EP’s closing track Frequency reaches its conclusion, you’ll have been roped in completely by Talk Pretty’s unique and explorative sounds.
These may still be early days for this Melbourne artist, but judging by the quality of everything we’ve heard so far, I think we can safely expect plenty more quality tunes. In the meantime, do yourself a favour and listen to the new EP above.
