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Album Review: Jack River - Highway Songs No. 2

Ross Clelland
StarStarStarStar

"An outstanding piece of pop music - cascading around you, while retaining its idiosyncrasies."

More Jack River Jack River Profile

Some releases come at you like they were put together by committee, designed just to not frighten off any demographic.

But Jack River's, nee Holly Rankin, contradictorily named debut EP ranges across a variety of styles, while remaining identifiably her own throughout. Palo Alto is an outstanding piece of pop music - cascading around you, while retaining its idiosyncrasies. Head To Stars is softer - reflecting Rankin's north coast NSW upbringing. If Mazzy Star is the sound of your dreams, this is the score to drifting off sitting on a beach and watching the skies. Elsewhere she adds some electro layers, but overall it's an assured entree to whatever happens next.