Summer Thieves - Album Review: Paradise Down The Road
As a cyclone bears down on the city, I’m hoping that Summer returns to us… especially with this, what could
be the soundtrack to the summer, the second album release from pop-indie outfit Summer Thieves.
The opening track Pages straddles a gentle reggae beat and a chorus that cries out for a beach day party. With the relaxation-months upon us, this five piece, led by vocalist Jake Barton are bringing a sonic mash up which delivers pop lyrics with, at times,
soulful delivery, sweet guitar solos, and a perfect antidote to the confines and routines of everyday life.
It’s easy listening, yet it’s clever. There’s a dose of optimism in the catchy lyrics – ‘I’m not lost but I’m searching for my purpose’ sings Barton in Potions. The imagery is straightforward and catches a common sense of purpose, we might all feel at one time or another.
I enjoyed the acoustic guitar led track, in All for You and there’s a good dose of considering our emotional lives as you move through the album. Things ramp up in tracks like Paper Tiger. Spotify recently went through a change in their software so that artists could share their albums in an order which they specify – and this seems important for this album. Listen to it in its intended order – I hear that there has been careful consideration in the album track orders - like a musical journey. Things slow down for penultimate track Floating Away, it’s a sort of one-sided conversation, probably a lot like those conversations we have with ourselves at times, lost in thought. In the final track, it feels like a push to a slightly more bluesy pop track, the raspy vocals and chilled vibe make it an easy listen. There isn’t a track that I don’t like, but I’d probably say that Pages and Saturday Night are my favourites. If we can have summer back now, please, this is your perfect road trip soundtrack.
About Summer Thieves
Singer and guitarist Jake Barton and drummer Johnny Ward began playing together in high school, before joining forces with Adam Spencer (bass) to Summer Thieves. Starting at Dunedin Scarfie parties and covers gigs, they quickly became a crowd favourite, amassing a legion of dedicated fans nationwide. Since forming, Summer Thieves have expanded to a five-piece line-up recruiting Izzy Bones (keys and guitar) and Jarni Blair (lead guitar).
After releasing a run of singles, they released their debut album, Warped, a 12-track journey laced with catchy hooks and hypnotic rhythms produced by Tiki Taane. The following years saw the band become a regular on the festival circuit, with multiple performances across the likes of Rhythm & Vines, Bay Dreams, Rhythm & Alps and Soundsplash.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Summer Thieves
Releases
Other Reviews By Lou Clement
Gig Review: Clementine Valentine @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 16/09/2023
16 Sep 2023 // by Lou Clement
Clementine Valentine took to the Whammy stage in Auckland on the fourth and final date of their nationwide album release tour. Their new album entitled The Coin That Broke The Fountain Floor, was released through Flying Nun Records in August 2023.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sofia Machray @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 19/08/2023
21 Aug 2023 // by Lou Clement
Sofia Machray brought her Language of Flowers show, the last of a five-night nationwide tour, to Whammy Bar in Auckland. Machray has recently released her debut 6-track EP and tonight was the premier of her music for Tamaki Makarau.
Read More...
Gig Review: Tom Lark @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 5/08/2023
07 Aug 2023 // by Lou Clement
Tom Lark recently brought his Brave Star tour to Tamaki Makarau along with his band and support from K M T P. Lark has been absent from both touring and releasing music for a number of years.
Read More...
Gig Review: SKRAM @ Big Fan, Auckland - 22/07/2023
26 Jul 2023 // by Lou Clement
SKRAM blew up Big Fan in Auckland on their Strawberry Dream Tour. Billed as "an explosive pop music spectacle", they didn’t disappoint, the energy was palpable.
Read More...
Gig Review: SJD w/ Beachware @ Hollywood Avondale, Auckland - 30/06/2023
01 Jul 2023 // by Lou Clement
Sean James Donnelly (SJD) brought his Sweetheart tour to Tamaki Makaurau and presented his latest release, his ninth album, Sweetheart. SJD is low-key specialist artist: a musician, songwriter and producer who, through his compositions, seems to make music which takes life (gently) by the horns and wrestles with it.
Read More...
Davidda - Single Review: Bear
25 May 2023 // by Lou Clement
Davidda’s latest single release is Bear, the third in a successful string of releases. In this track indie-artist Davidda brings together musicians Anna Coddington (guitar and production), Mike Hall (Bass), Caleb Nott (keyboard) and Lips (synth).
Read More...
Gig Review: Mel Parsons @ Galatos, Auckland - 19/05/2023
22 May 2023 // by Lou Clement
Talking about her career in an interview, Mel Parsons had said she was "grateful for the slow burn." Five albums in, tonight was a chance to hear that hard work distilled, as she moved between the decades of her life through music and shared her experiences of motherhood in her latest single release, Tiny Days.
Read More...
Saharaa - Single Review: Never Leave
12 May 2023 // by Lou Clement
Solo-act Saharaa has released her debut single Never Leave. The song was written by Saharaa and produced by Will Henderson (CHAII, Niko Walters and Abby Christo).
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- PAINT THE TOWN RED
Doja Cat - STRANGERS
Kenya Grace - GREEDY
Tate McRae - SPRINTER
Dave And Central Cee - WATER
Tyla - CRUEL SUMMER
Taylor Swift - BLUE EYED MAORI
Corrella - VAMPIRE
Olivia Rodrigo - SNOOZE
SZA - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
