Sydney singer-songwriter Caitlin Park brings us her second album The Sleeper, the follow-up to 2011’s little known debut Milk Annual. Park’s own Facebook page describes her style as “folktronica”. However, judging from this album, she’s more whimsical folk than electronica.
The Sleeper may be just that, one of those albums that grows on you, requiring more than just one or two listens to be fully appreciated – an acquired taste if you will. The albums does improve when several full-length listens are invested. However, it never manages to quite reach the lofty heights it tempts it will on some songs.
Wake Up in a Whirr starts proceedings off – a track that showcases intricate acoustic guitar work and introduces the listener to Park’s unusual vocal ability and at times slightly low-register. Her range and seeming ease in transitioning from high to low notes is a pleasure to listen to and a strength of the album.
If you’ve heard any songs off this album it would most likely be Lemonade as the track has received some airplay. It’s no surprise as it’s the most radio friendly and overwhelmingly positive in vibe.
The Sleeper has massive potential, making it all the more disappointing when it never manages to become much more than an okay album. There are songs worth checking out and Park shows enough to make her an artist worth keeping tabs on going forward to see what she does next.
BY ALEXANDER CROWDEN
Best Track: Hold Your Gaze
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In A Word: Unevolved
