With an insatiably well-crafted pop sensibility, an intriguing element of electronicism, and the kind of organic roots that only sibling harmonies and a tendency towards sunny folk music can provide, the Germein Sisters are onto something infectious. Born and bred in Australia and having supported the likes of The Coors and First Aid Kit, it’s not hard to lock in on the interesting niche they inhabit. In fact, the incessantly catchy ‘Da Da Doo’ could have been lifted right out of The Coors’ songbook, with a sweet, summery, feel-good sound, effortlessly crossover Celtic vocals and hooks that you carry around for days. This is no coincidence; the ladies worked with Irish producer Billy Farrell for this EP, who is known for his credits with yes, The Coors, and Westlife, to name a few.
The EP is not entirely new material, however, being a sampler of an acclaimed debut album that was released in their home country of Australia and around continental Europe, the UK being their next port of call to conquer. Due to hit stores on June 15th, it follows an intimate London gig on June 10th and a performance at the heralded Isle of Wight Festival on June 12th. Fans looking for a hybrid of easy listening, innocent pop music and gritty folk roots need look no further; with quite charming aplomb, sisters Georgia (songwriting, vocals, guitar, piano), Ella (electric cello, bass, backing vocals), and Clara (drums, guitar, backing vocals) iterate a collection of songs that are wonderfully emotive, simple yet effective. ‘First Plane Home’, for example, includes a hook that feels mysteriously evocative of late 90s chart pop, while swirling reverb echoes the 80s and pounding electric guitar underpins twangy but pure harmonies for a mesh of influences that are perfectly in tune. “Don’t go catching the first plane home!” They implore on the chorus, a simple plea for a lover to stay and give the narrator a chance.
Closer ‘It’s A Shame’, meanwhile, builds on that pounding electric guitar and the adrenaline-building drums for the kind of mainstream folk rock that has proved itself to be so popular of late. True, there is not a heavily prominent banjo as we have become accustomed to on these types of songs, but the peaks and troughs, expansive atmosphere and drawn-out vocal runs are directly drawn from the aforementioned style and suit the ladies well for their focus on harmonies. It’s a song of passion where the lyrics and music intertwine well for a coherent message and a powerful performance, perfect for any live show. And then there’s lead single ‘Golden’, a track which picks out the strands of stadium rock and electro pop, making for a breathy delivery characterized by Georgia’s gorgeous Celtic-style vocals and sense of real connection to the words. Coldplay-like electric guitars, drums and piano provide the basis for this song, while ethereal vocal edits isolate the bridge and a rousing coming together of sorts makes the refrain one of the most delicious.
The ‘Because You Breathe’ EP is not inherently country, and neither are the Germein Sisters as a whole, but their roots in folk, combined with a modern approach to making music and clever songcraft that is just so damn infectious, makes them ones not to be missed.
