Wow, just wow. Man, Australian music is so on point at the moment, it’s hard to think there was or ever will be a time in which Australian music wasn’t a world leader. It is ridiculously stellar at the moment. It seems with every week there’s a new artist ready to take control of the airwaves and become absolutely massive. And Melbourne artist Banoffee is another one you can add to the list, with the release of her EP Do I Make You Nervous? set to garner more than positive responses in the coming months.
With her sound entrenched somewhere between R&B and synthesiser influenced dance, the artist formerly known as Martha Brown leaves a lasting impression on the listener from their first listen. A sweet combination of misty and dreamy vocals when combined with easily danceable beats, she follows and leads with a sound much in the same realm as George Maple and Elizabeth Rose. Frankly, to be compared to these two acts says a whole lot about Banoffee as an artist.
One thing you realise almost immediately is her ability to culture and create a hook that leaves you humming it for the rest of the day. This is exactly what “With Her” does, as it cruises, bounces and peaks through out its four minute run. The performance is endearing and makes you just want to like her as a performer. It seems honest and not forced. It’s a downbeat dance banger that more DJs need to place in their set. While it isn’t as immediately catchy as “Let’s Go To The Beach” from her self titled debut EP, it is still a juicy single that sets the tone for the remainder of the release.
“I’m Not Sorry” lyrically (and literally) talks about her inability to be sorry for the variables of her need and wants. It is more a commentary on people saying sorry about things they believe in, more or less to avoid conflict. Having worked in the hospitality and retails fields for too long, this resonates way too much with this reviewer. It is an ambitious track with serious undertones, but on a whole is impressive.
Working with collaborator-producer-friend Oscar Key Sung, the EP hits its musical peak with the bridge in “Oceans”. It’s refreshing, and something entirely new that Do I Make You Nervous brings to the table, if only in a small dosage. “Body Suit” is smooth and delicious, as she increases the pitch of her chorus vocals, and introduces a dreamy and underplayed drum machine. It’s probably the stand out track of the EP.
Rounding out the release with “Fall Fast”, it’s a funky late night dance floor filler that helps Do I Make You Nervous? end on a high. The sound that Banoffee has created thus far is one that, while not entirely ground breaking, has enough elements in it to continually make you excited for what she is going to create next. With a spot on next year’s Laneway Festival, Banoffee is an artist you’ll want to see. She may currently be in the periphery of the Australian scene, but it won’t be long before she is the focal point of it all.
Review Score: 7.4 out of 10.
Do I Make You Nervous? is out now.
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