Back in July, Gypsy & The Cat announced the upcoming release of their third studio album Virtual Islands, the Melbourne duo’s first in four years. In what was a bittersweet moment for fans, they also announced that the album would be their last, and that the pair would be going their separate ways after the forthcoming album tour.
The duo of Xavier Bacash & Lionel Towers has achieved a lot in what seems like a relatively short career. Their debut album, Gilgamesh, was released in 2010, and not only produced three songs in the Triple J hottest 100 for that year, but was also included in the stations Hottest 100 albums of all time. They have toured locally and internationally, released music with the likes of Client Liaison and Paul Kelly, had a gold record and a number of ARIA nominations. In addition, they supported The Strokes, Kylie Minogue on her ‘Aphrodite’ tour, played Splendour in the Grass, the Big Day Out, Summersonic in Japan and Coachella in the US.
Their third and final release serves as a reminder as to why this band was so popular, but also contains hints of what could have been had they continued releasing music. Bacash’s reverb laden vocals are instantly recognisable, and along with the lush production and ’80s inspired synths, Virtual Islands is classic Gypsy & The Cat.
A loud gong begins the short opening track ‘I Took a Wrong Turn,’ the song’s title repeats over the top of frantic percussion, perhaps inspired by the time the duo spent in Japan during the writing of the record. It is quickly contrasted by ‘Give & Take’, a blissful Avalanches inspired journey full of samples and reverbed vocals.
‘I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else’ is one of the three already released singles, a subtle verse makes way for a big chorus, the beefy distorted synth bass line and layered vocal harmonies providing the most anthemic moment on the album. ‘Paris’ is full of M83-like percussion and synths, the repeated chorus is immediately catchy “Never walk alone, never walk alone, we could go to Paris, lets go to Paris.”
‘Life’ is more indie pop than electro, based around an acoustic guitar riff, the chorus uplifting and upbeat, in which Bacash sings “Can you see me now, I can change, don’t you know, it’s my life.” Perhaps the line is a comment on his and Towers decision to part ways after this record.
The acoustic guitar driven ‘Inside Your Mind’ finds the band channeling their MGMT influences, the disco funk groove and Bee Gee-inspired vocals providing what would have been a perfect song for the summer festivals, had the band been around to play it.
Whilst much of the album is what Gypsy & The Cat fans would have hoped for, there are some moments that show that they have also been growing as songwriters in the intermittent four years. ‘Odyssey of the Streets’ opens with hymn like gospel harmonies that feature throughout, the song somehow a mix of 80s sci-fi and an electronic symphony. Whilst it may take a few more listens, the song does take the listener on a journey, and is one of the albums finer moments.
‘Naomi’ closes the album, stripped right back to just an acoustic guitar and vocals, proving that layers of production aren’t always needed when making a great song. Channelling a little bit of brit-pop, the repeated chorus pleads “Come on, come on and find me, let’s get together, I’m falling down to my knees, she’ll make it better.”
The one major drawback of this album is that Gypsy & The Cat are a little too obvious when revealing their influences. The Avalanches-inspired ‘Give & Take’ actually sounds a little too similar, even sharing a sample with The Avalanches ‘Radio.’ Similarly, ‘Paris’ has snippets of M83 throughout, whilst ‘Tragedies of a Love Song’ sounds like The Cure being fronted by Julian Casablancas.
Despite this, Virtual Islands sounds like it was an album that was a lot of fun to make, and certainly is a lot of fun to listen too. The loops, samples, vocal layering and diversity in songwriting does lead to some unexpected turns. They are a band that possess a wonderful flair for melody, and the ability to produce a driving beat that will no doubt keep the crowd dancing as the band embark on what is sadly a rather short farewell tour.
