EP Review: Portraits

Fables latest release Portraits is absolutely stunning – for a release that was originally meant to be a 4 song EP recorded at Wine Cellar, adding the extra 3 songs may have been a risk in quantity over quality. However, this release definitely doesn’t disappoint.

Jess Bailey is still adamant that this is an EP though – referring to it as an ‘Experimental Project’ rather than an album – and experimental it is, with the line-up of musicians contributing to the release including James Geluk on Double Bass, Laurence Diack on Cello and Backing Vocals, Peter Guidera on Drums, Cameron Burnell on Electric Guitar (and Mandolin!), Chris Dent on Electric Guitar and Backing Vocals, Pearl Hindley on the Violin, Finn McLennan-Elliott on Clarinet, and Victoria Vigenser and Bianca Bailey helping out with more Backing Vocals.

The album starts as it means to go on, with clever lyrics such as ‘here’s to all the fools in bars, standing outside sucking in tar’ – the entire album has the feel of a live show, even down to the way that it has been mixed. It’s reminiscent of a high-quality live session, and this contrasts beautifully with how continuously playful yet relatable the lyrics are – one that made me chuckle a little was ‘symmetry won’t come easy to me, I’ve got liquid eyeliner in my eye.’

Portraits is a beautiful release, and available to stream online now – or download via Bandcamp.

You can also catch Fables on their upcoming tour – there’s 16 dates all over both islands, including two of the infamous Interislander gigs.