In their own words, Piperlain’s music consists of ‘quirky songs with universal themes.’ But this pithy statement only partially conveys the depth of the duo’s discography.
The Aussie two-piece are grounded within the folk and indie-folk genres but their penchant for ambitious storytelling is not to be underestimated.
In 2017 they released the sobering Mother Mourned. A concept album, the lyrics pertained to two individuals caring for their seriously ill mother. The album received widespread acclaim.
Similarly impressive is the band’s willingness to take on growingly complex musical aesthetics such as with ‘Bloom’ – the closing track and lead single to new EP Shine on You – during which wistful keys percolate through a backing of rigidly rhythmic hand drums.
The EP was recorded near the Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales and was designed to capture the spirit of this idyll.
Hence, ‘I Feel the Sun’ is an unsurprisingly breezy opener; an acoustic ballad with hypnagogic vocal harmonies that instantly conjure bucolic imagery – as well as The Velvet Underground and Nico.
The title track is more perplexing. With an oddly sinister undercurrent and manifest harmonic changes, the track oscillates between uplifting catharsis and a weird creepiness – which mostly intrigues and delights.
Similar is heard on ‘I Don’t Miss You.’ The sparse chorus is audibly distant. It makes for a curious listen but as the instrumental builds towards a late-era Pink Floyd noise wash, the song’s emotiveness begins to fade.
The aforementioned closing track ‘Bloom’ breathes a folkish charm to close the EP and conclude an enchanting set of tracks that do well to soundtrack misty landscapes over tumbling hills. A casual listen to this EP on a Sunday afternoon would undoubtedly be a peaceful one.