It’s the spaces in between the ethereal beauty of Greta Stanley‘s vocals that make her music so mesmerising. Think later stage Radiohead – delicate, sometimes sparse, musical pattering serving and augmenting the song and the voice.
Stanley has long impressed us here at Backseat Mafia and ‘Sun in My Eyes’ displays a stunning musical progression, achieving a brilliant clarity and edge to her work that is unique and without peer. And throughout the sheer innovation and creativity there shines a melodic pop sensibility.
The EP is seemingly of two halves. The first three songs are sparse, melancholic reveries with only a touch of percussion: personal reflections of love and longing. These songs epitomises Stanley’s inherent ability to capture the languorous scent-filled air of Northern Australia – the hint of Frangipani, the trickling sound of waves washing onto the snow-white beach, the turquoise sky and the oppressive heat.
By the time we get to TOFU and the single, Kick, the EP muscles up, reflecting to some degree an emotional renaissance, a strength of character and resolve.
Kick is a magnificent example of Stanley’s growth as an artist with its delicate beautiful vocals and the punchy spine of music :
Of the EP, Stanley says:
This is a collection of songs from a long list of memories. From Melbourne to Mena Creek to Cairns, to things I’ve dreamt up in my head that never landed anywhere at all. I wanted to share both the outward real things and the inward mess of thoughts – in the hope that others find comfort or connection in that.
It’s a collection of songs about dealing with the lows, about putting your heart on the line but knowing your worth and when to say no, about day to day things that drag, about crying in your room (and probably a lot of other places), about beautiful memories but the sadness that comes from not being able to have the moment again and again – and questioning everything. But despite the brushes on depression and mental health, it’s about maintaining hope, about getting up from the floor and remembering that time heals – friends rule – there’s lessons in everything and to never stop loving, even when it gets hard to.
‘Sun In My Eyes’ is without doubt an outstanding collection of songs: deeply personal, melancholia infused with a hint of hope and optimism, resolute and strong yet fragile and beautiful. You can download and stream the EP here.
You can catch Greta Stanley live at the following gigs across Australia:
FRI AUG 23 – DARWIN FESTIVAL – DARWIN, NT
THU AUG 1 – THE OUTPOST OPENING PARTY, BRISBANE
SEPT 3-6 – BIGSOUND, BRISBANE
Supporting Emma Louise:
FRI 13 SEP – CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE VIC
SAT 14 SEP – TANKS ARTS CENTRE, CAIRNS QLD
THU 19 SEP – THE TIVOLI, BRISBANE QLD
FRI 20 SEP – THE FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY NSW
SAT 21 SEP – BYRON BAY BREWERY, BYRON BAY NSW
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