It’s April 2011 and I’m on holiday in Sydney. I’m roaming the streets with a Starbucks latte in hand and my digital SLR camera around my neck. I’m feeling sufficiently hip. Then, as I turn the corner onto Pitt Street, the mall directly behind me, my gait is arrested by the sounds of something majestic coming from behind me. I immediately about face and head in search of the source. In front of the entrance to Westfield I find what I’ve been looking for – both literally and metaphorically.
What I heard that day was Set Sail, mesmerizing their congregated audience with energy and style. Having spent a half hour being captivated by electric violin, angelic vocals and a drum kit that consisted entirely of buckets and a ride cymbal laid flat on the paving, I purchased a copy of The Riley Moore EP on sight and spent the next year wearing that CD out in my car.
Fast forward to 2015 and there are some notable differences in the Set Sail soundscape. On their most recent release, Good Vibes, the production is notably richer and the instrumentation is far more experimental. Yet, the essential elements remain – pretty vocals and undeniable energy. No longer can we define Set Sail as another Surf Rock band.
The opening track, “Newborn”, romps along with help of some borderline disco drum parts that are reminiscent of The Bay City Rollers. Whilst not the hero of the song, the guitar is used sparingly but with a clean intensity to mark the direction of the melody. The addition of synth riffs gives Set Sail’s music a pleasing new dimension. It is lyrically shallow but somehow still poignant.
“Mothers” is a definite departure from Set Sail’s past style. It dips its toe in the waters of hard rock, composed primarily with a heavy bass and drum backbone. It’s a song of two distinct sections though, and the dreamlike second part saves the song from committing entirely to being a dark rock song. The Jekyll and Hide nature of the song seems to symbolise humanity’s potential for dual mindedness.
On this EP, the band have seemingly lost interest in the lyric-heavy songs of their past and “Don’t Give Up On Love” is proof of that. Musically it’s familiar with the sound of their genesis, but still stands alone. Whilst the ethereal oohs and ahs are pleasant for the ear, the song seems to lack any real depth and feels a little like a filler.
The undoubted highlight of this album is “Girls On Bicycles”. Australian summers are defined by time spent at the beach. This is the ultimate beach-goers anthem. The melody is uncomplicated but attractive. After three songs of variable departure from the Set Sail status quo, this song meets it head on.
This EP consists of four very different songs. Gone is the band’s reliance on upbeat surf-pop tones and politically minded lyrics. That’s been replaced by song writing maturity, genre-crossing musical experimentation and an apparent desire to let the sounds do the talking. The message may not be as apparent on Good Vibes, but repeat listens will reveal a theme of positivity and that’s something that Set Sail are renowned for.
Review Score: 7.2 out of 10
Good Vibes is available now.
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