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Alae - EP Review: Lucy's Mix Tape

01 Sep 2020 // A review by Madeleine Howard

Indie-pop quartet Alae return with their EP Lucy’s Mix Tape, which was launched on the 26th of August. Featuring three previously released singles; Hit Me Where It Hurts, Summer Thing and Lucy, the EP also features the new single Please, as well as collaborations and re-works.

The first track Hit Me Where It Hurts eases the listener in to Lucy’s Mix Tape. The verses are moody and almost trudge along, but make way for the thing that Alae do so well, the soaring, catchy chorus. Vocalist Alex Farrell-Davey's signature raspy vocals ensure that listener's will be singing along by the time the chorus rolls around the second time.

Next up is the new single Please, a sultry slow jam. Once again, Alex’s vocals are the star of the show. The track over all is minimalistic, allowing Alex’s vocals to shine and allowing the message to ring clear to listeners - "Please is about looking at your life, or current situation and putting things into perspective," says Alex. The track shows that Alae can pull off the slower songs just as well as their more upbeat tracks.

The groove-tinged, hook filled track Lucy is the third track, a welcome release from the slower opening tracks of the EP, giving that much needed lift. With soaring harmonies, Alex’s husky vocals and bright instrumentation, Lucy is a definite highlight on the appropriately named Lucy’s Mix Tape.

The final original track is Summer Thing, another head bobbing, toe tapping tune, Summer Thing makes for easy listening, and gives the listener another infectious sing-a-long chorus.

Kicking off the selection of collaborations, Lucy has been re-worked into a stunning acapella version by Nate Dousand, performed alongside AJ and Harry Pualau from Brotherhood Musiq. The original track is already filled with beautiful rich harmonies, so the added bonus of this version is a real treat for listeners.

We are also treated to a stripped back version of Hit Me Where It Hurts. The soaring falsetto in the chorus that listener's are all too familiar with in the original version is replaced with a simple yet emotional delivery of the main hook. The melodic acoustic guitar makes this version much more thought provoking than the original.

To wrap up the EP we are left with a beautiful acoustic version of Please, performed by Bailey Wiley. A bouncier, more upbeat version of the original, Bailey's soulful vocals carry the track as much as Alex’s do on the original. Staying true to the original track, the melody showcases her vocal ability perfectly, and yet shows off her own vocal flare and style.

If groovy pop tunes are your cup of tea, I would highly recommend seeing Alae perform live. If their live shows live up to their highly polished tunes, I'd say audiences will be in for a great night of entertainment.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Alae

Alae. It’s a word that means nothing to you at the moment, and that’s a good thing. But that will change.

They’re a fresh, Kiwi duo with a unique sound that needs to be experienced to be understood. alae is what you get when you mix Alex Farrell-Davey and Allister Meffan; two old high school mates who are talented musicians in their own right, but when they come together, it’s something else entirely.

Alae aren’t the status quo, they’re not sugar-coated or created in a lab - they got together because, for them, jamming together just feels right. And you'll feel that in everything you hear.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Alae

Releases

Lucy's Mixtape
Year: 2020
Type: Album
Henry St
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Alae EP
Year: 2016
Type: EP

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