_Washington - Insomnia EP (20/11/2011)
_In 2010 Melbourne songstress, Megan Washington became an icon. She was one of the most talked about Australian female wonders to have emerged of late. Last year saw her win two ARIAs featuring a memorable performance of anthem Sunday Beston the same night, she played sold out shows around the country on a number of tours and went platinum with album, I Believe You Liar, her debut album three years in the making.
Now a year on, Washington returns with an Australian only release, Insomnia. Insomniais described by Washington as an “eight-legged spider” or a project with “an extension of the themes explored through the closing title track” on I Believe You Liar.
Current single Holy Moseskicks off the eight-song EP with its dynamic, jungle-drum beats joined by a group of kazoos oddly enough. Washington’s voice enters not too long after, accompanied by a light organ harmony and the kazoo choir to heighten the song’s mood. Standing proud as one of the highlights of Insomnia, Holy Moses sets the benchmark for the excellence in creativity.
Second track Plastic Bagis the only return to the typical Washington sound that everyone knows and loves. Providing a sound contained with spirit and shining with its optimistic lyrics, Plastic Bag is surprisingly another highlight early on. Washington’s ascending vocal refrain (“oh oh … ah”) before the chorus’ end is delightful and complements the song so well.
Skeleton Key is a very slow burning and powerful song that differs greatly from the previous two tracks before it. Washington’s voice excels over the repeated piano ostinato and the accompanying strings. Her voice works its magic in short phrases, which gradually heighten what is a very reflective and intense ballad.
The EP continues on becoming even deeper with its slow tempos and haunting piano melodies. Sentimental Educationis no exception possessing the very same kind of atmosphere from Skeleton Key and including Washington’s most utterly heartbreaking lyrics to date. “You sleep seven streets away from me, I went to see you, you were sucking on her neck and didn't see.”Washington’s voice sounds at its best in what could be the quintessential track of Insomnia, Public Pool. A very beautiful, sweetly sounding song decorated with Washington’s rich higher register vocals and the violin’s harmony works wonders in a standout, flawless song that sees Washington’s song writing as its highest point.
Letterbox, sounding like it could be the penultimate or final track on the EP, brings back the much needed uplifting, hopeful kind of vibe that is lacking throughout Insomnia. It is the type of the song, which sounds like the sun coming out from behind the clouds after a storm on a rainy day. It is a very elegant 3 minutes of music where Washington doesn’t take herself too seriously.
From what can be heard it is only fair to say that the Insomnia EP stands as Washington’s greatest endeavour to date as an artist emotionally and artistically. It making you thinks twice about the talent of Megan Washington in crafting such stunning songs and affirms the point that she is not just a hype singer and is becoming an artist who will attract a loyal fan base supporting her through thick and thin in the long term. An underrated release, that deserves much more attention than already received.
James Quick
Now a year on, Washington returns with an Australian only release, Insomnia. Insomniais described by Washington as an “eight-legged spider” or a project with “an extension of the themes explored through the closing title track” on I Believe You Liar.
Current single Holy Moseskicks off the eight-song EP with its dynamic, jungle-drum beats joined by a group of kazoos oddly enough. Washington’s voice enters not too long after, accompanied by a light organ harmony and the kazoo choir to heighten the song’s mood. Standing proud as one of the highlights of Insomnia, Holy Moses sets the benchmark for the excellence in creativity.
Second track Plastic Bagis the only return to the typical Washington sound that everyone knows and loves. Providing a sound contained with spirit and shining with its optimistic lyrics, Plastic Bag is surprisingly another highlight early on. Washington’s ascending vocal refrain (“oh oh … ah”) before the chorus’ end is delightful and complements the song so well.
Skeleton Key is a very slow burning and powerful song that differs greatly from the previous two tracks before it. Washington’s voice excels over the repeated piano ostinato and the accompanying strings. Her voice works its magic in short phrases, which gradually heighten what is a very reflective and intense ballad.
The EP continues on becoming even deeper with its slow tempos and haunting piano melodies. Sentimental Educationis no exception possessing the very same kind of atmosphere from Skeleton Key and including Washington’s most utterly heartbreaking lyrics to date. “You sleep seven streets away from me, I went to see you, you were sucking on her neck and didn't see.”Washington’s voice sounds at its best in what could be the quintessential track of Insomnia, Public Pool. A very beautiful, sweetly sounding song decorated with Washington’s rich higher register vocals and the violin’s harmony works wonders in a standout, flawless song that sees Washington’s song writing as its highest point.
Letterbox, sounding like it could be the penultimate or final track on the EP, brings back the much needed uplifting, hopeful kind of vibe that is lacking throughout Insomnia. It is the type of the song, which sounds like the sun coming out from behind the clouds after a storm on a rainy day. It is a very elegant 3 minutes of music where Washington doesn’t take herself too seriously.
From what can be heard it is only fair to say that the Insomnia EP stands as Washington’s greatest endeavour to date as an artist emotionally and artistically. It making you thinks twice about the talent of Megan Washington in crafting such stunning songs and affirms the point that she is not just a hype singer and is becoming an artist who will attract a loyal fan base supporting her through thick and thin in the long term. An underrated release, that deserves much more attention than already received.
James Quick