As much a product of their rural upbringing as the natural bond of the Kelly twins (Stephen and David) that form the core of their lineup, Sydney’s Black Lakes now arrive after a period of transition.
Once known as Radio National, their first EP was heavily informed by classic Australian rock acts, now they have burst from the cocoon of three years recording above a hotel to emerge with something that transcends their influences, even if its not entirely focussed as yet.
Only For The Woods, the first half of a proposed two EP set, begins with the folk twang of ‘HBDD’ before kicking off with the gentle rumble of ‘Common Song’; its attention to textural guitars and sonic detail shot through with a rolling momentum.
The woolly ‘This Party Is Only For The Woods’ follows, a curious mix of restrained vocals and introspective lines that tumble and unravel into lightly psychedelic territory, conjuring imagery of brushed bushland as much as acid-washed hallucinations.
Just as My Morning Jacket and Band Of Horses offer a unique skew on Americana roots without denying its fundamental appeal, so too does Black Lakes take a similar approach to Australiana.
Dipping their sonic wick into the sleek mysteries of The Church, Midnight Oil’s fervid rock, and Paul Kelly’s everyman folk, before igniting the whole concoction and inhaling the strange fumes.
Nowhere more-so than on the slow-burn of ‘The Ranger’. As it snakes through six evocative minutes, it leaves the impression that Black Lakes have wandered in from some strange musical territory, and are more than ready to chase their rambling spirit towards an ever-wider sonic plateau.
