There are a host of talented ‘musos’ on this EP, and a series of bold, interesting arrangements. Yet, The Silent City, the latest six-track release from The Tiger and Me, just fails to capture the same accomplished spirit of their previous work.

When Laurie Anderson sang ‘Paradise is exactly like where you are right now, only much, much better’ she could have been describing the Mullum Music Festival - four days of international and national profile artists mixing with locals and visitors in the beautiful and vibrant little town of Mullumbimby on the NSW north coast.

The Tiger and Me are a sextet from Melbourne making dark-edged folk-pop with a jaunty swagger. The a capella introduction of “So Let It Go” instantly captivates with the vocal qualities of Ade Vincent, supported by Jane Hendry and Tobias Selkirk. The song, as with the rest of the EP, is wonderfully structured and crafted. Chunky guitars, atmospheric mixing and brassy horns are used to their full extent in creating an EP with a lot of content sitting within its six tracks.

The Tiger & Me are architects of singalong good times, dark-edged pop-leaning folk and side-leering swagger. Their feverish live shows wring the full gamut of emotion from their audiences as frenzy gives way to restraint and menace becomes charm.

We're back with another Free Music Friday! It's long overdue... so I'm making it up to you but bringing you five killer new tracks to enjoy! I hope you do.

King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Pictured) - Black Tooth

In the past few years, only a few bands have grabbed the musical jaws of life and pried a genuinely delighted response from me. ROOT! (now the DC3), Skye Harbour (now defunct, nyaw), Aluka, Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes are a few of a few that have wowed me with their business. And now I can happily add Melbourne a capella four-piece The Nymphs to the beatified pile.

I’m running away to join a circus. A travelling circus. I’ll walk on my stilts, play my violin and drink a whole lot of red wine.