“Birds For The Bayou” is a new full-length album by Josh Orange, an outstanding Australian band. Consisting of eleven exceptional songs, this material arrives as an adequate follow-up of “Midnight Lights,” another fine piece of sonic artistry released in 2021. Still, this material carries many innovations in writing, composing, arranging, and producing that will unquestionably appeal to even the pickiest listeners. Soundwise, Josh Orange combines many different but complementary music genres to depict such luxurious sonic imagery. Perhaps indie rock comes to mind first, but you’ll notice some of the finest elements borrowed from alternative rock, nineties rock, alt-country, folk rock, folk rock, and many other similar styles. Josh Orange uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift their music on an entirely new level while remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary styles resulted in a mesmerizing sonic experience that will appeal to even the pickiest listeners and beyond.
At the onset, you’ll notice how these experienced musicians paid attention to everything while assembling this comprehensive collection of songs. Each composition arrives with an impressive structure garnered with intricate segments, brilliant ideas, and superb musicianship. Their songwriting and composing abilities shine during every moment, making this album such an enjoyable listening experience worth repeating over and over again. “Birds For The Bayou” commences with a title track. It’s a perfect introductory piece that immediately showcases what these musicians are capable of. They shape ambiance through cleverly arranged guitar interplays, equally intricate low-ends, and moderate drumming patterns. The generous servings of reverb effect give that ethereal, echoic vibe, so the pleasant listening experience is more than guaranteed. The vocal harmonies serve as a centerpiece, emphasizing all the segments and decorations. “What Have We Become” is coming up next, delivering a slightly upbeat tempo through tastefully constructed and expertly performed beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. In the meantime, equally complex basslines provide more than necessary warmness, heaviness, clarity, and depth while the themes, melodies, harmonies, chord progressions, and other sonic maneuvers delivered on guitars provide a perfect backdrop for all the vocals to shine upon. Speaking of vocals, the impressive vocal range seamlessly balances low, mid, and high notes, enhancing this marvelous sonic journey to new heights. It’s also good to mention that “What Have We Become” is one of the standout tracks on this material.
“Wide Awake” brings some late eighties and early nineties vibes, blended with a subtle touch of modern arrangements and production. It’s a beautiful composition that immediately grabs your attention and refuses to let go even after the song ends. The catchy, memorable, engaging chorus performed with so much precision and finesse makes this track even more enjoyable while the instrumentations deliver an otherwordly atmosphere. Josh Orange calms things down with “No Place Like Home.” The song commences with marvelous piano overture and excellent vocal harmonies. It’s an ethereal, stripped-down ballad that will especially appeal to listeners looking for a nearly cathartic listening experience. “Another Lost Soul” is another mesmerizing ballad empowered by the marvelous chord progressions delivered on acoustic guitars, beautiful piano leads, warm-sounding basslines, and well-accentuated half-time beats. The vocal harmonies sound divine from scratch to finish while the back vocals spice things up to the max. This composition showcases how Josh Orange gradually shapes a profoundly complex ambiance while maintaining easy-listening qualities. “Devil At The Backdoor” continues at the same pace but with more alt-country, country, Americana, and folk-rock elements involved. It’s another standout track where vocal, sonic, and rhythmic maneuvers shine in the limelight. The introduction of so many elements borrowed from other styles brings another side of this band that sounds equally impressive like their primary sonic direction.
“Waiting For Fall” is another impressive showcase of Josh Orange’s songwriting and composing abilities. This ballad carries fascinating vocal harmonies that balance low, mid, and high notes with such ease. In the meantime, the guitars resonate with an entire amalgam of tastefully constructed chord progressions. The rhythm section provides more than necessary foundations that resonate with many warm basslines and slow rhythmic sequences. Like other tracks, “Waiting For Fall” emphasizes confident, sincere, emotive vocal performance and meaningful storytelling lyricism, equally detailed as their instrumentations. “Easy On Me” merges classic, alternative, and indie rock elements with a subtle touch of folk music. The interplay between keyboards and guitars shapes an otherworldy atmosphere, perfect for another marvelous vocal performance. It’s a standout composition that unquestionably sounds different and unique compared to the remainder of the material. “Candy Girl” is another stripped-down ballad with nearly psychedelic rock properties, thanks to a generous dosage of reverby orchestrations. On this track, the band intended to create a calm ambiance where the vocals and guitar reign supreme. “Rolling Over In The Dark” is a straightforward folk-rock track with subtle touches of Americana and country music. You’ll notice those vibes in the guitar and vocal performance. With this particular composition, Josh Orange proves they’re capable of creating versatile songs where similar instrumental performances deliver an entirely fresh ambiance. “I Feel Alive (Kick It)” is an upbeat, cheerful, synth-driven rock track with a catchy chorus that immediately grabs your attention. It’s another track that showcases the other side of this magnificent band and a perfect closure of such an incredible material. You’ll notice how different styles of music inspired these experienced musicians to write and compose this track, and it’s a must-listen for every true eighties music fan.
“Birds For The Bayou” is a comprehensive collection of marvelously written, composed, and produced rock songs, suitable for those listeners looking for soulful music where vocal, sonic, and rhythmic performance collide in harmony. Their brilliant ideas and impressive musicianship vividly demonstrate all the experience, knowledge, skills, and talent poured into these songs, making “Birds For The Bayou” one of the best alternative rock albums of the year. The album is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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