Shady Brain Farm have played together as a group off and on for the last 20 years, with all the members living in the Northwest Auckland area of Kumeu, Waimauku and Muriwai Beach. The music they make reflects this West Coast beach vibe. Orange to Red is their 4th release as a band.

Let’s get straight to the point, I love this band, end of my review, hang on….apparently that is not a suitable statement to make. I was once told that short and sweet is enough in some situations, just like in photography, over saturating a picture can do much detriment to the final product. Shady Brain Farm are like that secret little hideout you are dying to tell your mates about, but you really want to keep the secret to yourself, for your own gratification.

I really dig short, sweet, uncomplicated music and this band has that in the scoop full. From the banging and rasping baselines in Orbiter to the simple, yet effective drum rolls throughout all 4 songs. Orange to Red is a real dreamy affair that makes you yearn for a long, yet romantic walk along the beach with an empty mind and a guitar in your hand ready to create the next 'big' hit. There is certainly a 10cc feel going on here, and I am very happy about that.

Just when I thought the dreamy walk along the beach was coming to an end, I was then transported to an empty beach along the Californian coast to the aptly named Astra California there is something very psychedelic and different to this EP, it entraps you with its head bopping harmonies. The final song I Don't Know is a great sound to finish off this fine polished sound track with a high octane funk brand of loveliness, just like music I have just listened to, this review is over before it even began, and that is meant in a good way. Short, sharp and like a fine pair of comfortable jandals, well worth the purchase.

This is well worth the 15 minutes to listen to, another wonderful Kiwi band that have been around for a wee while now and deserve the attention for never giving up their dream.

Playlist:

1. Orange to Red - Written some time ago and mixed in a spooky coincidence during Orange Sunday when the sky indeed did turn Orange.

2. Orbiter - Instrumental Surf Punk with backing singing by Local Morgan Costello.

3. Astra California - Written mostly by Ben Furniss after some time in California and based off a message written in a book about Log Cabins (found in a second hand shop) that was a gift To Bevan from Astra urging them to pursue their dreams of building a house together ending 'no bounds no fear, nor emptiness'.

4. I Don't Know - I don’t know what to do or where to go, longing for the past.

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• 5
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• 6
  Keith Pereira
• 7
  Head Like A Hole
• 8
  Blindspott
• 9
  The Feelers
• 10
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• 1
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 2
  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 4
  LIKE THAT
  Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• 5
  END OF BEGINNING
  Djo
• 6
  I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
  Artemas
• 7
  WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
  Ariana Grande
• 8
  STICK SEASON
  Noah Kahan
• 9
  TEXAS HOLD 'EM
  Beyonce
• 10
  LEAVEMEALONE
  Fred Again.. And Baby Keem

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