EP review by Damien
I remember the first time I ever encountered Tash Sultana’s music. It was several years ago, and a person I was dating at the time had invited back to their place. The lighting was warm and dim, there was a particular anticipation and excitement in the air, and, to top it off, they decided some music would really get them ‘in the mood’. This preceded my introduction to Tash Sultana.
I’m not going to give any further details on what happened after that, but let’s just say it was a very memorable evening and Tash Sultana has held a fond place in my heart since.
So, with that in mind, I decided that, in order to relive the full Tash experience, I would ‘set the mood’ for myself in reviewing their latest EP, Sugar.
Imagine if you will, I have the lights dimmed, several candles burning, and the sweet smell of perfume in the air, as I seek to determine whether the latest offering from Victoria’s ‘one-person band’, has the same aphrodisiac effect as earlier releases.
The short answer to that is. Yes.
But rushing to climax is not how it’s meant to be done, so allow me to slow down, and work my way carefully and tenderly through each of the six tracks that appear on Sugar.
The opening song, ‘James Dean’, sets the easy listening tone, which is to be expected. I’ll be honest and say that as an opener, it feels safe. There are no surprises in this song, and , to me, it seems somewhat generic. However, given that the evening is only warming up, this isn’t a bad thing. The pop laden drum rhythms and melodies remind me a little of Mardi Lumsden, and, whilst I’m not latching onto any definitive hooks in this track, it certainly puts me at ease.
Next up is ‘New York’, and whilst ‘James Dean’ was somewhat platonic, the sensual intentions are quickly lifted through the seconds song’s silky keys and lush vocals, and I am immediately reminded of the night I first experienced Sultana’s music. The RnB vibes are what really hits home on this one, and they are embellished by the interesting vocoder layers that nestle under the lead vocal. And then there’s the guitar solo, which just screams sexy! If you’re listening to this EP with a significant other, and there’s still space between you on the couch at this point, perhaps something is awry?
The third track, like a good lover, pulls things back just slightly, and takes on a more light, yet funkier attitude. Titled, ‘You People Freak Me Out’, this song is playful and complimentary to innocent yet mildly flirtatious banter, which simultaneously removes any anxiety in the room, but also creates heightened pleasure in the thought of what may happen next.
What happens is, ironically, a track called, ‘Bitter Lovers’, which brings with it a return to the deep grooves and soul feels that push passion to the fore. It’s a well balanced combination of tension and closeness, until the 3 minute 20 mark, when the mood is suddenly broken by a rather unexpected saxophone breakdown that, possibly intentionally, makes mockery of the overt intentions in the room by caricaturising the clichéd and now cheesy tones of artists like Kenny G.
Personally, I find this a very jolting break in the flow of the EP from a listening perspective, but from an artist’s perspective admire the use of shock and surprise.
We’re now two songs from the end, and, after breaking the sexual tension quite heavily, Tash now leads us in a new direction in the fifth offering from Sugar, ‘1975’. To me this song invokes a move towards greater honesty, realness and intimacy, particularly if being listened to in the close company of another. It’s a slightly rawer track than the predecessors, with far less processing and saturation in the effects, and yet feels very ‘right’ in the context. At over 7 minutes in length, it is a movement towards something as opposed to a simple, singular destination, and as we traverse deeper into the song, the deep grooves, effects and sensuality start to return.
It is as though the connection that had been broken during ‘Bitter Lover’ has now returned, but with deeper intensity as a result of having seen behind the veil of the superficial.
If ‘1975’ is the climax, ‘Dove’, the final track, is the beautiful comedown. It flows softly and gently with a healing tenderness that elevates the soul to transcendent planes of being. and gives the spirit permission to bathe in the bliss of the moment.
Sugar is gorgeous collection of songs to be enjoyed alone or shared intimately with others and is available for streaming from August 18.
