The Paper Kites - “If you go there, I hope you find it”
- Dave Shaw
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
The 7th studio album from 5 piece Australian band, ‘The Paper Kites’, brings them close to home.
On a friend's farm within the Yarra Valley of Australia, is where The Paper Kites partly wrote their 7th album, bringing their signature soft melodies and heartfelt lyrics making the whole album one big whispered conversation of longing, connectivity, simplicity and emotional clarity.
The album title, ‘if you go there, I hope you find it’ is a phrase that comes from Christina Lacy which was written on a fogged up bus window reflecting the themes that the album has become. From the very beginning of the album with the first song all the way through, it's an instant feeling of slowing down, being relaxed and if you were to picture a surrounding, you'd get, sweeping big fields and a mountain range, quite equivalent to their friends' farm surroundings in the Yarra Valley.
Opening song, ‘Morning Gum’ opens with a lovely acoustic guitar and David Powys, banjo subtly in the background is paired softly with the vocals of Sam Bentley, the song grows towards the end like we're starting this journey of healing and reflection setting the tone and conversation for the album.
A personal favourite is next on the 10 track album. “Change of the wind”, comes in just a little bit more punchy with the strength of the 5 piece coming together with bluegrass electric guitar and subtle drum beats, tied in with Bentley's vocals and the harmonies and backing vocals of Lacy and Powys. It's a song challenging oneself to make changes but finding it difficult if their mindset isn't changing with them. It gives a sense of questioning yourself to go with the changes and going with the flow.
The lead single, “When the Lavender Blooms” follows, giving us an uplifting song that exemplifies the hopefulness of healing whilst embodying that sense of longing. A 90s guitar band rhythm feeds this song with arpeggiated guitars and added tambourine and bongs, brings a change from the original stripped back demo with David Powys stating
“We’re always quite particular about how the song feels and how the rhythm plays a part in how the song feels,”
‘Shake of the Rain’ brings a very subtle change in delivery with a bluesy feel to it but is one that serves as the anchor to the album. Quickly becoming the band's favourite song. It's a rain drenched, hopeful and powerful coming in as a striking ballad.
‘Every Town’ is another stand out for me on this album, pushing Sam vocally as he explores his range in a higher register surrounded by harmonic walls of Lacy and Powys in the chorus. I feel this song is a demonstration of the band's 15 year journey and growth showcasing the willingness to be flexible with their music and not striving for pure perfection. It really reflects the
character of the vocals in this song. A song that's a sweet, melancholic reflection of love that lingers, even when everything else changes.
This album, I can only describe as a pure slowing down of the senses and time, it's a connection to nature, healing, hope. It feels incredibly comforting and I can say, on every listen with every song, it makes you reflective and I've sat with a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, ready to follow and feel the conversation throughout the album.
The Paper Kites have truly come home on this album, figuratively and literally. It's them at their best and every song is worth it's time in listening hours and so much more. It's vulnerable and calming within its own sincerity. A balance of looking at change, the beauty of imperfections and introspection. In any natural setting and any weather. It's an album for listening, in a rainstorm, when the sun is shining, day or night, next to a fire or under the stars. “If you go there, I hope you find it” it's a strong contender of an album and The Paper Kites at their amazing full potential!!
“If you go there, I hope you find it” releases on Friday 23rd January
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Article By Dave Shaw