If the title of the Anth Wendt’s debut album as Oisimadidn’t already herald global exploration, then the opening twinkles and modest piano keys of Indios should. The instrumental track is like touching down for the first time in a foreign land and gently taking in the sights, sounds and smells. However, this tranquillitydoesn’t last, and the pace and heaviness picks up on second track Grovers Lament. A busy saxophone plays throughout and powerful vocals repeat the word “Nobody” to bring the song to a close.
Sun Of Truth features input from Perth vocalist/ producer Mei Saraswati, while Adelaide singer Annabel Weston (of indie pop band, Archie) makes a superb contribution to Makes Me Feel Alright. Also on the list of collaborators are Texan MCs Danny Watts & Sam Al, who lay down rhymes on Missin’ You Now. It’s a spacey and smoky number, but the strong presence of the Houston boys adds a sense of reality.
The song names compound the sense of journey conveyed by the album; Sun of Truth is an ancient Mayan relic, while Cactus Canyon is a free-spirited dance at dusk. As for Mmmhmm… well, it’s delicious and jazzy.
There are no dull moments on Nicaragua Nights. Each of the 11 tracks offers something the preceding song hasn’t. It’s intriguing, dark, bright, and soothing – much like when you travel to a foreign land for the first time.
BY IZZY TOLHURST
