Heir to the Throne of Folk Rock
Folk music has seen a revival in recent years with the likes of Fleet Foxes, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and The Head and the Heart. Sub Pop’s latest group, Husky, is a welcome addition to the trend with their debut album, Forever So.
Led by cousins Husky Gawenda and Gideon Preiss, the Australian quartet has crafted a collection of thirteen songs of intricate melodies and vocals that ring like the echoes off a mountain top. Unlike the current model of three-minute songs with catchy hooks and choruses, Forever So deviates off the usual pop path by introducing complicated lyrical arrangements that never seem to repeat and organic harmonies that flow as though the musicians were having a jam session live recorded.
Album namesake “Forever So” has a hauntingly pretty melody accented by keyboards that sounding almost like water is splashing in the background. Gawenda’s vocals intone a longing that is also echoed on “Dark Sea” and “Farewell.” More upbeat tracks include folksy opener “Tidal Waves,” “Fake Mustache” and “Hundred Dollar Suit.” When they’re upbeat (think rapid guitar hooks and impassioned vocals) Husky sounds like Okkervil River at their most melodic.
Forever So is a solid showing for a new folk band. After touring extensively in a second hand role to the likes of Devandra Banhart, Noah and the Whale and Gotye, Husky is showing off their music chops on a debut album sure to top the folk charts.
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