It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from local band, Izzy Losi and the Auracles, and with this release their sound has matured. Another thing that’s a change from past releases (fitting we talk about change with the EP title), is the mesmerising depth of Losi’s voice.
The addition of the cello on ‘Nothin’ On Me’ is the perfect pairing to Losi’s vocals. Particularly with the emotion expressed in this track, the cello pushes those feelings along tenfold. As a result it’s a powerful song that sets Losi as one of the finest female vocalists coming out of the region.
‘Change’ is the track on the release with the biggest beat, but it’s also one that sticks out as being very different from the other five tracks. It pushes the envelope on the rock-pop genres, in particular the up-tempo nature of the keys is what leaves it feeling a little bit lost in the overall EP. Nonetheless, lyrically (“I am nothing more than someone you disposed of long ago…change is the only constant we have”) and vocally, it still holds true to the rest of The Only Constant is Change.
It all ends in a fitting way (unless you’ve gotten the vinyl with the bonus track, A Little Too Close) with Losi’s vocals carrying the instruments and the track overall into a musical climax. All of a sudden things stop. And the track slowly weaves its way through your ears. It’s a clever choice for this particular song, and as a result it sits as one of the most engaging on the release. Hold out for when the other band members chip in harmonising alongside Losi to the song’s climax. Props to the drummer for really bringing it at the end too.
Where the band’s strengths and appeal really lies is when they put Losi’s vocals at the forefront, with a gentle beat, piano and even some cello (as they have done with this release). With a performance set for Queenscliff Music Festival later this year, we can see this may just be the release to project them on to bigger and better things.
Independent
Reviewed by Alexander Lightfoot
3.5 stars
