Album Review: Saskwatch - Nose Dive

Melbourne soul darlings, Saskwatch, have shaken things up with latest release, Nose Dive, yet in so doing have retained the essence of their sound. By not contenting themselves with simply creating more of what made them so popular to begin with, the group has forged ahead in a slightly different direction, embracing a more guitar-oriented aesthetic. The funkier soul leanings found on their debut LP, Leave It All Behind, have given way to tracks with an up-tempo '50s sheen, evoking dance halls and milk bars, pomaded hair and blood-red lipstick, and kudos to the band for expanding on their already watertight, locked-in grooves.

Opening with the peppy bounce of Give Me A Reason, the track smacks of an irrepressible verve that weaves through the entire album. Horns have been used sparingly and when they are it's to highlight song sections tastefully. Latest single, Born To Break Your Heart is as bittersweet as it is memorable, Nkechi Anele singing in a high register that lends the song a fragile charm. It's not all falsetto vocals, however, as Hands and Is It True? showcase the charismatic frontwoman's extensive range. Underpinning this is a band that continues to be a solid unit, with all members providing parts that have been meticulously thought-out and intelligently arranged.

More restrained than their debut, Nose Dive is a mature release that quashes the “difficult second album” notion and solidifies Saskwatch's position as one of Melbourne's finest young bands.