The Black Lullaby evoke a sense of confidence in the listener. From the opening chords of their self-titled EP you can feel the band is self-assured, confident and focused on raising tough questions through dark-edged yet strangely uplifting music. It’s hard to classify, but it sounds incredible.
Producer Lachlan Mitchell (The Jezabels, The Whitlams) has helped The Black Lullaby create soundscapes and a snug fitting bed for Ange Saul’s sweetly haunting vocals to reign over.
Blessed with a lyrical honesty and directness, Ange has the sort of vocal tone that makes heads snap to attention when she soars, recalling Missy Higgins, The Waifs, Jeff Buckley and The Jezabels.
Blending acoustic instruments with fine grittier guitars, a solid rhythm section backbone, and great harmonies, The Black Lullaby’s self-titled EP is one that has been meticulously crafted and well written, with tracks that weave a storyteller’s tale, taking the element of earth to follow on from the water theme that imbued their 2009 debut EP Future Target.
The first single off the new EP Journey Up delivers group vocals, handclaps and a great, rousing vibe. It portrays an honest and emotional message about self-discovery and trying to find meaning in difficult times. The combination of musical styles between slow rock and upbeat guitars really delivers!
My Hands Are Free is the second single, an up-tempo, evocative call to arms, all octaves and fuzz guitars, vocals flying way up in the sky, and well-placed handclaps, culminating in a powerful melodic ending.
What ties the six songs on the EP together?
‘The line that connects the songs from this new EP is change,’ says Ange. ‘I used to rely so much on what I heard or read as fact, and absorbed it as my own ideals. Now, in our hyper-connected world of 2012, I question everything. I embrace how what we can discover at our fingertips can be the catalyst for amazing, powerful changes in ourselves, and in the world. So that is a definite thread that runs through the EP.’
Raw and honest, The Black Lullaby’s self-titled EP is part of the new wave of distinctly Australian indie rock, blessed with a melodic sensibility, a swag of quality songwriting and musicianship, and all captured with outstanding production values.
See The Black Lullaby at Mary G’s in Lismore on Saturday.
Find this and many other great gigs in Echonetdaily’s North Coast Gig Guide.
