Old Mixtapes, all-consuming romantic obsessions, giving yourself permission to remain in your PJs all day, things left unsaid, being left “on read” – these are just a few of the themes stitched into Patchwork, the enchanting debut record by Melbourne’s own Shannen James.
“In your headlights I go blind/ ‘Cause I’d risk it all to see you one more time” – built from a clap-happy beat, which was inspired by The Cure’s Close To Me, opener Headlights contemplates the possibility of a rendezvous with the one who got away.
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(“I don’t wanna have…”) Breakfast With You – talk about a cheeky twist on what we expected from the title! During this song’s opening verse, softly strummed acoustic is Shannen’s sole accompaniment, which perfectly showcases her breezy vocal style resplendent with winsome country lilt.
Inspired by the TV series The End Of The F***ing World, Get Go is a duet with Fergus James (unrelated). He totally embodies The Romantic Love Interest throughout this snapshot of “straight through the gates from the get-go” chemistry and their creamy vocal blend makes us swoon.
A rolling piano ballad, Longest Light evokes endless summer beach holidays where the only decision to be made is which flavour of ice cream to go for midway through your sunset stroll.
Elsewhere, the Haim-inspired No Fix’s clickety-stick drumming is for getting your dance on, come-hither track Come Calling is enhanced by a coquettish riff and I Don’t Mind celebrates sloth days as an antidote for overwhelm.
Rich with meticulously crafted sonic textures, Patchwork is as comforting as an heirloom quilt.
LABEL: IVY LEAGUE
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
