EP Review: Birdsong

Lhasa’s Birdsong EP is just four songs, but it’s a clear case of ‘all killer no filler’.

The EP opens with the title track, Birdsong, and right from the get-go the crisp capturing of excellent performances is apparent. Samuel and Micaela’s voices complement each other so well. Birdsong is an up-tempo number and a great way to kick off the EP.

Somewhere Else follows, and brings the tempo down a little, but not the intensity. It’s impressive how the two songwriters are completely at ease either following or leading. The song builds up to the chorus really well. It is a beautiful collection of tunes and harmonies. The middle 8 needs Jenny Craig as it’s so phat.

Peace//Sleep is as the format of the title suggests is a song of two halves. Peace has Micaela leading and it’s a wonderfully peaceful calming tune. Then just over half way through the song’s duration it changes; Samuel takes over the singing duties and the tempo quickens. It is a beautiful pairing of songs which complement each other; very much like how the partners in music and life.

The closing song Can We Stay Here for a while is a ripper. An up-tempo pop tune which could be a hit on any reputable college or student radio station, who knows it could even cross over to mainstream radio, especially now that ‘Kiwi music’ is more than Bic Runga and The Mutton Birds.

Samuel and Micaela met at music school and formed Lhasa when they began writing songs together in 2017. It shows, they are both are separately and collectively very talented.