Perth indie-pop darlings, Simone and Girlfunkle, have released a debut album full of infectious melodies, spot-on harmonies and toe-tapping beats.“Summer Rain” makes a wonderful introduction to Hurry Harry, opening with a clarinet riff that carries throughout the song.
It gradually builds to a harmonic, upbeat chorus, making the most of the band’s seven members.
“Love, Love, Love” is a stripped back lullaby with gentle guitar picking and touching minor harmonies. Its downtempo pace matches its wistful lyrics; “I want love, love, love … to line my heart/ from getting holes.”
It’s virtually impossible not to find yourself bopping along to “Blown Into The Wind”. It manages to toe the line between cute and twee so that its “da da dum” chorus and ¾ beat make you smile but don’t make you gag. Its clarinet coda is a lovely addition and gives the song a unique edge.
The darker turn taken in “Venus” suits the band well and makes a refreshing interlude to the otherwise happy songs.
The one other dark track is the haunting “Time Song”, a sort of lament to the harsh mistress of time. The bass in the chorus works well as reminiscent of a ticking clock.
“Find Me”, the album’s closer, sounds like just that – the final credits. Angelic vocal harmonies bring to mind The Andrews Sisters yet have classical elements too that aren’t unlike a contemporary version of Delibes’ “Flower Duet.”
Though at first glance Simone and Girlfunkle seem a little sickly sweet, their musical prowess may surprise you. They have developed a formula that works well and has produced a wonderful first release.
