Thelma Plum - Monsters EP (08/08/2014)
The girl from Brisbane that brought us the heart-achingly sweet indie-pop of Father Said (a Triple J Unearthed hit) is growing up fast. Polished without being over-produced, Thelma Plum's follow-up EP to last year's Rosie indicates a move in a brave new direction.
Collaborating with Plum on Monsters are two industry heavyweights. The beats are brought by M-Phazes (Kimbra and Eminem) and the title track was mixed by Eric J Dobowsky, of Chet Faker success. The overwhelmingly acoustic flavour of her standout debut has been replaced by a more electro soundscape that shows off a young singer-songwriter on the cusp of womanhood (she is still a teen, remarkably). Plum sings with a rare colloquial twang that is always welcome for those weary from the constant stream of mass-produced formulaic pop created in an oversaturated and hyper- |
sexualised commercial industry (cough Kanye, and cough Miley).
Thankfully, the slick production of Monsters doesn't take away from Plum's organic quality. Young In Love has strains of Lana del Rey about it - a hauntingly sparse arrangement. The melodrama suits Plum's honeyed raspy tones and melodic lilt.
More good things from an exciting local talent well worth watching.
Rebecca McCann
Thankfully, the slick production of Monsters doesn't take away from Plum's organic quality. Young In Love has strains of Lana del Rey about it - a hauntingly sparse arrangement. The melodrama suits Plum's honeyed raspy tones and melodic lilt.
More good things from an exciting local talent well worth watching.
Rebecca McCann