Led and guided by vocalist Josh Teskey and his brother, guitarist and engineer Sam Teskey, The Teskey Brothers return with a newfound clarity with their expansive third studio album 'The Winding Way'
The Teskey Brothers were always going to take out this issue’s feature album. How could they not? There’s just something so monumental about them that makes each new release that they bring out to feel like you’re witnessing history unfold in front of you. It’s as if every album in their catalogue is destined to go on to become timeless Australian treasures in the years following their release.
Their first two albums – Half Mile Harvest (2017), and the Grammy-nominated Run Home Slow (2019) – already have, with the Warrandyte-raised brothers finding stardom as R&B/Soul megastars both at home and away before taking some time to step away and focus on side projects.
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So naturally, the news that the brothers were planning on returning for album number three sent most fans into an absolute frenzy, however, the coinciding announcements that it would be recorded amid a new lineup, and with acclaimed dance music producer Eric J Dubowsky (Flume, Chet Faker, Chemical Brothers) were met with trepidation by a handful of online commenters fearful that the group were drastically changing up their sound.
And while those commenters were right – the group have changed it up – they’ve done so in the best ways possible, with Dubowsky’s subtle touch helping The Teskey Brothers to deliver their most stunning, yet adventurous album to date. Fuller in tone and less formulaic in approach, The Winding Way sees The Teskey Brothers dive head-first into a wealth of rich textures and instruments previously unexplored by the group while maintaining the integrity, power and levity of their first two releases.
Opener ‘I’m Leaving’ is one for the purists, keeping its cards close to its chest with classic Teskey Brother’s sensibilities– Josh’s voice is as powerful as ever, as is Sam’s minute yet deliberate strums. It’ll have you feeling at home immediately.
‘Oceans Of Emotions’ evokes the same feeling, with its motown/gospel harmonics destined to be a favourite amongst longtime fans of the group’s bluegrass roots. ‘London Bridge’ changes it up, organically dabbling into the free-flowing tempo changes of electronic music through a myriad of powerful hooks and well-placed breaks. In a similar vein ‘This Will Be Our Year’ maintains impressive tempo changes through meticulous drum fills and cymbal work, while ‘Blind Without You’ goes in a different direction again, contrasting winding horn arrangements and uplifting folk melodies alongside Josh’s wounded, emotionally driven vocal delivery. In other moments of experimentation, the brothers triumphantly try their hand at Pink Floyd-ian psychedelic guitar solos in ‘Rich Man’ and powerful blues rock harmonies in ‘What Will Be’.
There is truly not a skippable moment. An album that will surprise many but still feel at home for most, The Winding Way displays The Teskey Brothers in their finest form yet.
The Winding Way is out now via Ivy League Records. Stream it here.
