There’s a laid back and cool inflection to the debut EP ‘Which Way To Go’ from Queensland native and Melbourne resident Liam Turner, that creates an innate sense of comfort and ease. The jazz tone is augmented by Turner’s smooth and languid vocals and the dappling guitars that ripple enticingly across the tracks.
Opening track ‘Square One’ features Turners delicate guitar style – chiming and jangling – and sets off at a canter with soul-infused vocals (think of Style Council at their best and least pretentious). ‘Let’s Take Our Time’, with its snap shot percussion and rolling piano has a lush and sensuous flow that is so cool it raises temperatures. Turner’s guitar solo wanders with a salacious intent.
‘Which Way To Go’ has a ‘Girl from Ipanema’ vibe.
‘Back To You’ is a gorgeous reflective and liquid piece with some smooth guitar and bass runs and a hint of heavenly backing vocals. Images of white suits and Panama hats in the bleach white afternoon sunshine arise, and Turner’s voice is never more enticing and sensual.
Final track and single ‘Face the Music, is a laid back cool breeze that manages to meld a jazzy, louche air with an indie sensibility.
Turner’s musical proficiency is clear with the intricate guitar chords and pacing, but above all he has a voice that delightfully croons and swoops – soft and relaxing yet imbued with a gravelly sub-texture that gives it distinction and style.
This is a pure and satisfying song writing infused with an air of longing and regret. ‘Which Way To Go’ is a panacea for our anxious times: it should be available on prescription for medicinal purposes to induce a sense of well being. Turner matches a music proficiency with a euphoric sense of beauty and joy, and an ear for indelible melodies and lyrical romanticism.
‘Which Way To Go’ is available now to download/stream here or through the link below:
