REVIEW: Little Quirks release new EP 'Cover My Eyes'
Image: Al Parkinson
Words: Jess Richards
Little Quirks formed in 2015 by sisters Abbey and Mia Toole and their cousin Jaymi and listening to their new EP Cover My Eyes, out today, it is hard to believe these three women are barely out of school and college such is the maturity of their writing.
Recorded in Hercules Studios and produced by Wayne Connolly (All Our Exes Live In Texas, The Paper Kites), Cover My Eyes is a beguiling collection of five alt-folk tracks. The first two singles released last year, the title track and ‘Life Wouldn’t Be’ are here and still sound as good as ever. ‘Cover My Eyes’ opens the EP with it’s tender, acoustic first verse blossoming into a rollicking track which lyrically deals with mental health (‘Somewhere we're lost with hope to find / With covered eyes, we'll follow blind / Why don't we say it'll all be fine?’) and is full of sublime melodies and beautifully layered vocals. ‘Life Wouldn’t Be’ follows in a similar vein showcasing the band’s skill in constructing the perfect song - teasing and building beats and harmonies until it becomes an unstoppable, runaway tune sweeping up all in its path.
‘Where We Hide’ exudes a darker, perhaps bolder vibe, with lyrics combining fierce attitude and genuine heartbreak (‘I will take the blame and leave it there/ And you’ll stay the same like I don’t care / And then I’ll go to where we hide’), while ‘Bury Our Bones’ is a mesmerising ballad with gentle, unobtrusive keyboards and guitar complementing and never overshadowing the expressive vocals from the band. This two song sequence is quite possibly the highlight of the EP.
The EP closes with new single ‘Devils Ivy’, a more stripped back, traditional country-tinged folk-pop track complete with strings that evokes an intimate live performance in a cosy rural bar. It’s a wonderful way to end the EP.
Little Quirks are evolving into an incredibly well rounded, talented and supremely confident band and if Cover My Eyes is anything to go by, it won’t be long before they are one of Australia’s premiere acts. This is music with staying power, and given their young age we can’t wait to see and hear more from Little Quirks.
‘Cover My Eyes’ is out on January 24th through Ditto Music.
Little Quirks will be touring across the east coast of Australia from January through to April. Tickets are on sale now at www.littlequirksband.com
25 & 26 January - The Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth
8 February - Love Lanes Festival, Wyong
14 February - Courtyard Sessions, Sydney
28 February - The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine
29 February - Grace Darling Hotel, Melbourne
14 March - The Rhythm Hut, Gosford
15 March - Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
27 March - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
9-13 April - National Folk Festival, Canberra
19 April - Scotts Head Festival, Scotts Head
To keep up with all things Little Quirks, you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook
