3.5/5 stars
A lot of heart has gone into Unveil, the debut EP from Sydneysider Taryn La Fauci. From its beautifully painted cover art to the quivering emotional weight that balances on the precipice of each song, the sincerity and authenticity is something that cannot be brought into the line of questioning. It’s a quiet, humble and unassuming collection of songs, often delivered with the kind of stark intimacy that would suggest a bedroom confession or a balcony-scene soliloquy.
La Fauci’s voice is lilting and lush, particularly when paired with arrangements of strings, percussion and slide guitar. ‘Withered And Weathered’ serves as the definitive showcase of her talents, presenting a sombre and lovelorn take on broken-heart balladry. The influences are often clear (Simon & Garfunkel guide ‘Oceans Between Us’; Joni Mitchell is central to ‘Map Of The World’), and the tone of the songs lacks a versatility. For a debut release, however, such minor issues are common.
In a climate where to call the singer-songwriter scene ‘overcrowded’ is a generous understatement, it takes a lot to be heard and to leave a lasting impression. La Fauci has gotten this far on Unveil, and it’s as warm an introduction as one could hope for.
