Three years ago, young Perth based troubadour Justin Wonsley Snowball released his debut Rules of Nature EP to critical acclaim, and then disappeared off the radar. Fortunately for us, after engaging in a journey of self-discovery, taking in the sites of London, Berlin and New York, Snowball, who is better known as Wons Phreely is back in action. To prove his efforts, he has released the Tonight EP through his new home, Ivy League Records.
Tonight sees Phreely departing from the guitar and keyboard melodies that were prominent in his previous work, to embrace some synthesiser and drum machine in his own unique electro rock mash up. It’s witty, socially aware and a whole lot of fun.
First single “The World Has a Bank Account” is Phreely’s hilarious account of meeting a girl at a Patrick Wolf concert, who spent a bit too much time sharing her life’s ambition to settle down with a rich man and use his money to save the world. The flamboyant pop number composed of string and piano samples, plus a healthy dose of irony, is endlessly entertaining.
Title track “Tonight” is a heady eighties ballad with the echoing drums and synth melodies that lend an air of new romantic nostalgia to the project. “D.I.S.C.O” sports a similar feel but with danceable riffs that wouldn’t be out of place at a high school dance in a teen movie. “The Romancer” see’s Phreely at his hedonistic best, the self-indulgent tune is an enjoyable mess of tribal beats and bubble gum riffs that is made beguiling by the twee nature of its sound.
The Tonight EP is a glorious comeback for Wons Phreely which showcases his growth and adventurous nature as a songwriter. The wealth of mashed up string samples and old piano enclosed prove an enjoyable backdrop to his tales of love and hard lessons learned. If you enjoy a bit of 80’s kitsch and music infused with a satirical wit, than check out Wons Phreely as he tours with The Vasco Era this month.
Review Score: 7.5/10
