Family Ties
He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister doesn’t lend itself to classification. The quartet’s eponymous EP is an amalgamation of styles – a delightful hybrid of folk, blues, swing, and everything in between. The LA-based band has eschewed conventional genre labels, opting instead for things like vaudeville pop and glam-a-billy descriptions that prove surprisingly apt for their seven-song debut.
The EP itself is both cohesive and diverse. Although siblings Rob and Rachel Kolar anchor the album with their assertive vocals, they also experiment with a variety of textures and styles. Rachel gives opening track “Tales That I Tell” a healthy dose of country twang, while the following “How’m I Gonna Get Back Home” is reminiscent of former tour-mates Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
Rob’s versatility is especially evident on the intimate “The House That Isn’t Mine,” a haunting tune that could fit in with the cabin recordings of Canadian folksters Timber Timbre. It sits comfortably beside rousing jams like the bluesy, effervescent “Coattails” and Zombies-esque rock like “Lazy Daze” or “Moonage Daydream.”
The band wears many musical hats, but does so with consistent exuberance and swagger. He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister seems to perfectly capture the theatricality and excitement of live performance, and the group’s confidence is palpable. Their spirit and retro charm make every song a standout, and the range of styles keeps the EP from ever feeling monotonous. With this much gumption, He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister will get everyone’s toes tapping in no time.
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