Upon discovering the Croatian word for dawn is Zora, this sibling band’s grandma’s name, Amy Sheppard recognised: “It was a moment of serendipity that couldn’t be ignored. The album name had found us.”
Now Nashville-based, Sheppard – which is rounded out by George and Emma – is a contagiously effervescent outfit. One of the band’s many strengths is having multiple lead singers: on album number four, Chasing The Sound wonderfully showcases George’s vocal gymnastics and Love Me Tomorrow nods towards Amy’s side hustle as a solo country artist.
Stadium-ready anthem Edge Of The Earth – with its geographical shoutout, singalong choruses (“USA, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Mexico-o!”) – is a pogo-friendly highlight.
“Hey! I’d ride a tidal wave/ I’d run uphill both ways/ And brave the lightning and the thunder…” – Running Straight To You bottles ‘P-Plater’s First Roadtrip’ energy.
The uplifting Dance On The Sun, with its playful plucked strings, hits like a treasured childhood memory. Nostalgic in a Beatles kind of way, Play On The Moon explores one of George’s early goals for this band. Nothing Without You, a song dedicated to their partners, is a heartfelt ballad to break up the bangers.
Elsewhere: Good Time incorporates a cheeky almost-wolf whistle, Respect was written to help a friend negotiate a bitter breakup and The Gift delves into the perils of social media.
Amy has said: “Our hope is that Baba’s legacy of gratitude and love in defiance of anguish will live on in our music.” The postlude, Sumrak, features Zora delivering birthday wishes to George via Voicemail – cuteness overload!
Sheppard create “glass-half-full pop music” (thanks, presser writer) and there ain’t nothing wrong with prioritising the spreading of joy through song. After listening to Zora, you’ll feel more grateful and optimistic.
Did you know? This year marks ten years since the release of Sheppard’s global smash hit, Geronimo (which has attracted a whopping two billion streams and counting…). Altogether now, “HEY! Geronimo…” – gotcha! Earworm successfully inserted.
LABEL: EMPIRE OF SONG
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
