Jack Carty’s third full-length studio album maintains his signature floating melodies, exploring ideas of love, natural beauty and home.
The presence of co-writer Josh Pyke on ‘The Joneses’ is blaringly evident with its bouncy hits and crude but cute storytelling techniques. But it’s clear that Carty has also carried this influence into other tracks on the album, overlapping layers of vocals in true Pyke style for ‘If I Am A Candle, You Are A Spark’. If anything, it’s worked to strengthen his artistic voice and create a more cohesive sound.
Even ‘Interlude’makes you sit right up in your chair and listen every time, evoking visions of rivers and the smell of salty beach air. In fact, much of the album has this same tactile feel, particularly noticeable on the title track ‘Esk’ as Carty describes an eye-opening trip to Tasmania he took with his girlfriend.
However, while the stories and melodies throughout the record are sweet and pretty, there are moments when it all feels a bit twee, and just a touch clichОd.
Esk would go down nicely sipping tea by an open fire. Just not with too much sugar.
3/5.
