Geowulf – Great Big Blue

Aussie duo Geowulf’s debut album Great Big Blue will have you longing for summer days lying on the beach but won’t leave you with a burning desire to listen over and over.

Although quite repetitive and clichéd at times, the album is largely held together by the sweetness of vocalist Star Kendrick’s voice. Her folksy, Americana-tinged vocals are hypnotic and alluring, particularly on Hideaway and Don’t Talk About You, occasionally calling to mind the sultriness of Lana Del Rey. Her lyrical abilities though, could use a bit of work.

The album’s most outright pop song, Drink Too Much is promising in its instrumentation, courtesy of the duo’s other half Toma Banjanin, but is let down by its substandard lyrics. ‘I get myself in trouble when I drink too much / Think too much,’ Kendrick sings along to a catchy melody; the words however, lacking the same punch.

Won’t Look Back breaks the mould slightly and is more downtempo than the rest of the album’s tracks. It’s a welcome change of pace towards the end and just about prevents this being written off simply as another mediocre pop album. The reverb-laced guitars and glittering synths give it a psychedelic feel and show that the duo are capable of producing clever, interesting pop songs.

Geowulf have all the potential to be able to put together a decent pop album, with Kendrick’s blissful vocals and Banjanin’s chilled-out melodies, but unfortunately on Great Big Blue, they just fall a bit short.

Listen to: Hideaway, Won’t Look Back