Nowadays it’s so easy to ignore the cardinal rule of being cool by keeping it simple and true. Palms, however, make their debut with a perfect example of doing just that.
Formed by Sydney’s Al Grigg and Tom Wallace after the split of Red Riders, Step Brothers sees the new outfit (filled out by Brendan Walsh and Dion Ford) playing stripped-back indie rock.
Step Brothers carries a live feel that flows from its first track “In The Morning”, (a comedown song if you ever heard one), into a selection of relatable tales of break-ups and heartache.
Backed by a classy mix of emotive and pedal-friendly guitar lines and steady beats, this is a solid example of a group of musicians comfortable playing with each other and just letting go.
The result is an album that can easily be part of your soundtrack to Spring. Simplicity when it’s needed, harmonious and memorable enough to keep you singing along, and diverse enough to keep it interesting.
Sure, it goes on a bit about a broken heart, but who hasn’t been there before?
