Lavender - EP Review: Types Of Infatuation
Types Of Infatuation is the name and the theme of the debut EP from Tamaki Makaurau based Lavender, who has been songwriting and performing from a young age, and whose style has developed into a well-crafted blend of indie folk-pop and alt-rock. Lavender has performed at many high profile events over the past few years, and if this EP is anything to go by, looks well set to go on too much bigger things again.
Be With Me is the opener, and it has a delicious '80s post-punk sound to it, with a voice soft and pure, yet with depth and emotion. I'm of an age where this instantly takes me back to teenage discos at the local roller-skating rink, it so strongly reminds me of that era. Not that I'm in any way suggesting it sounds dated, not in the least, I mean all of that as a big compliment. This is a well written slice of contemporary indie pop/rock, with a good hook to the chorus, and the theme of infatuation here is of longing not necessarily reciprocated, with the object of one's desire always within view but out of reach, with just the right hint of angst to the poetry of the lyrics.
I Hope You Do is track number two, a lightly finger-picked guitar is soon joined by that sweet voice, delivering another wonderful demonstration of melodic sense and ability. This is a very different song to track one, it retains its reserved feel, yet fills out with some heavenly vocal harmonies, and some subtle guitar work in the background. Again, the theme is of a love unrequited, but with a hopeful sense and positive, joyous mood. Track three is Satisfaction, rocking into a similar musical vein to Be With Me. This is a darker mood, a song of ill will from one slighted to their tormentor. This song has a brilliant groove to it, it would tear the house down at a live performance, it has a beat that compels the body to move, a slick and slinky guitar lick, and a stonkin' sing-along chorus with more tasty vocal harmonies.
Disgrace is the final song, and it's different again, with a soulful, smoky vibe. The chorus hooks you in by the earholes and swings you gleefully around the room. This one is about desire that is most definitely requited, no games, no pretence, no lies, just the flared-up hot spark of romance. A blast of wah-wah guitar over a breakdown at the three minute mark, then it's back into the drive and punchiness of the chorus. A tribute to chance meetings, and chances taken.
Types Of Infatuation is a strong debut from a confident, highly competent songwriter. It shows that there's likely a lot more where that came from, and it's going to be worth waiting for.
About Lavender
Lavender has been making her way on to the music scene since her busking start, to reaching the finals in competitions like the Smokefree Rockquest, Play it Strange, Let’s Talk About It, WordUp and much more. She has shared the stage with some of Auckland's most promising, emerging artists at the Corbans Estate Arts Festival, performed for The Spinoff in 2019 at Te Oro and, during lockdown life in 2020, The 'Virtual Jam Cellar.' She has also performed at Youth Arts New Zealand events such as busking during the America's cup racing in 2021, performing at the 2021 Auckland Arts Festival, and the FIFA Fan Festival in 2023. In 2021, she also opened for Marianne Leigh at the Dead Witch (The Ding Dong Lounge). Lavender has performed for the public on behalf of the Britomart association in 2021, and in 2022 she performed at the Mapcap showcase for Madcap NZ at Cassette Nine. In 2023, she also played at the FIFA Fan Festival at The Cloud for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, in front of a maximum capacity crowd, and co-headlined her first show at The Wine Cellar.
Her singles Satisfaction, I Hope You Do and Disgrace are out now.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Lavender
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