You know those times when you really really like someone, but you just can’t find the words to express it? They’re from a different group, it’d never work, but you still can’t help your feelings? Those feelings are a little bit like the ones I have for The Paper Kites new album twelvefour, but there’s no Romeo and Juliet scenario here, as things are definitely going to work out.
‘Electric Indigo’ is the track you’ve already heard on the radio, and if that hasn’t enticed you to hear the rest of the album, I don’t even know why you’re reading this review. ‘Bleed Confusion’ is a beautifully emotive track – keys just seem to have that effect – and Sam Bentley’s vocals match the slow, sombre mood perfectly. If a song could give you a hug, this would be the one to do it.
‘Neon Crimson’ follows on where ‘Bleed Confusion’ left off, but the gentle guitar strumming, breathy vocals and well-timed pauses, make it that little bit better and as a result it’s a highlight on the album for me.
Given that this is a concept album surrounding the idea that a writer’s peak is between midnight and 4am (Sam Bentley actually wrote this album in that time frame) it explains the sombre, serenity of most of the tunes. This is the kind of record that would be ideal for a slow Sunday, to calm you before hitting the pillow of to wake you up for a big day ahead.
Out Via Wonderlick/Sony Music Australia
Reviewed by Amanda Sherring