2015 has been a great year for music. While it was almost universally agreed that 2014 was pretty light on ground-breaking releases and tactfully glorious tunes, 2015 has gone in the complete opposite direction and released banger after absolute banger; masterpiece after masterpiece. And Little May’s For The Company is another one you can add straight to that basket.
While there has been constant dialogue suggesting the lack of female fronted or involved acts releasing quality music shows a direct correlation to the lack of females appearing on festivals bills, Little May’s debut record will surely go a long way proving that these subjective views are entirely unfounded.
With this in mind, there is absolutely no reason why Sydney’s Little May should be overlooked for bigger honours following the release of their much-anticipated debut LP. Only performing under this moniker for a couple of years, the three piece of Annie Hamilton, Liz Drummond and Hannah Field have come along in leaps and bounds since being Unearthed by Triple J. And these aforementioned leaps and bounds are bloody massive when looking at For The Company on a whole.
Opening track “Cicadas” is hauntingly reminiscent of another 2015 break out act, Ireland’s SOAK. The vocals are raspy and mulled, while the lyrics and harmonies provide the kick in the track that makes it all click into place. The melodies and harmonies, in my opinion, are what make Little May, well, Little May. While it is evident that the influence of super producer Aaron Brooking Dessner (of The National) has lead Little May in a distinctly The National direction, there is still plenty of individuality and originality coming from the Little May women.
“The Shine Is Brighter At Night” has the most beautifully and at the same time simplistic opening of the entire album. Normally I’m one for songs that go to the next level, and build to a crescendo before losing it’s shit and going nuts. But the way “The Shine Is Brighter At Night” artistically cruises along for its entirety shows the maturity of Little May. They don’t need to layer up their arrangements too much to keep their audience interested.
Upon first listen, For The Company is an album of deliciously delicate and daunting tracks. One blends into the next, seamlessly producing an eleven track euphoric rise into another less defined instance of existence. What I’m trying to say is that For The Company is holistic in its existence and execution. It divulges the beauty of life and journeys through its story telling, while the harmonies of the three-piece are continuously on point.
While it is hard to not point out some comparisons to their predecessors and fellow Australian counterparts (“Oh My My” has a definite Sarah Blasko vibe to it), Little May have smashed the debut album out of the water. Comparisons aside, For The Company, is for the record, a stellar album; one that will definitely bring those who are lucky enough to see it live to tears of happiness and leave them in generally holistic awe. Listen to For The Company as an album; not as singles. The experience will be so much more rewarding
Review score: 8.1 out of 10.
For The Company is out now.
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