Think Thelma Plum is just another Aussie twanged, indie folk darling writing cute songs? Think again.
This six-track release is full of infectious melodies, clever lyrics and well-thought out orchestration.
Opener, “Around Here” comes across as a cheerful ditty that has all the folk-pop staples like tambourine, handclaps and whistles. What may catch you off guard, however, are the lyrics in the coda.
Nestled amongst the “da da da”s is the repetition of “fuck you”, sung so sweetly you may find yourself joining in. It’s testament to Plum’s sharp songwriting that this feels neither out of place nor purely there for shock value.
The consistent sparseness of “Father Said” works well for Plum’s delicate voice, especially when it is doubled on itself at the end. Coming in just shy of two minutes long, the song makes a nice interlude to the other, bigger tracks.
The real surprise on this EP is “Breathe In Breathe Out”. Ditching the guitar for keys and strings, Plum’s voice shows an impressive classical quality in this beautiful ballad. She strikes a perfect balance between fragility and strength at all the right moments; seamlessly shifting from almost speech-like vocals at one point to operatic high notes the next.
Title track, “Rosie”, has a chorus with the power to get stuck in your head for days. Her vocal prowess is evident yet again, soaring effortlessly over the high notes, and the song is expertly mixed, with the percussion spot-on.
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“King” is an ideal EP closer, Plum again taking a turn for the more melancholy. It suits her to a tee, and as this song slowly builds to a powerful piece, complete with strings, organ and horns, each musical addition draws you in further.
Plum’s music is accessible yet impressive, especially for a debut from someone still in their teens. There is little else to be said for this young Aussie gem other than she’s certainly one to keep your eye on.
