Live Review: Pop music done effortlessly right with Phebe Starr's new single 'Two Hearts'

Australia has never been short of any fiercely talented, female pop stars. The old guard; KYLIE MINOGUE, DELTA GOODREM and MISSY HIGGINS paved blazing trails for the likes of the current rising stars, VERA BLUE and MONTAIGNE, and now it can finally rest easy as more and more divine artists are encouraged to come rising to the surface. The newest alt-pop force on show is PHEBE STARR. She flutters effortlessly over one of the most treacherous responsibilities known to music: doing pop music well.

STARR gives us much more than just pop music however; her mystifying lyrics embedded in rich narrative is the centre-piece of her newest track, 'Two Hearts'. What is at first listen an endearing love song, slowly manifests itself into a more budding story that, in classic pop style, STARR narrates with an incredibly uplifting instrumental and vocal performance.

Theres no denying STARR's virtuosity when it comes to being a vocalist, but when the dust settles and the vocal sets in, what really impresses is her ability as a story-teller.

"Sorrow woman, Man of steel" the two hearts at play here, Starr recently expressing the outspoken nature of her mother and the conservative nature of her father and how she is fighting an internal battle of both of those influences. What once filled the love song compartment of your brain soon finds it way to your emotional epicentre. The story is filled with gorgeous metaphor and heartbreaking honesty, yet never feels anything but uplifting and empowered.

Her resourcefulness as a writer and power as a vocalist hasn't gone unnoticed either. In the past, the young songwriter has earned worthy comparisons to powerhouse vocalist SIA and graceful story-teller FLORENCE WELCH.

Although the vulnerability of her sentiment would rather suit a more slowed down composition, the production for this track is as big as Starr's vocals. It fits in perfectly with the vibe she is setting her upcoming EP to resonate with.

Not only is there a fresh stack of tunes coming from Starr with her new EP, Chronicles out March 31st, she's also just confirmed three dates around Australia in support of these new starry-eyed creations.

Catch her new tunes live:

JUNE 24TH – THE TOFF IN TOWN – MELBOURNE, VIC

JUNE 30TH – BRIGHTON UP BAR – SYDNEY, NSW

JULY 7TH – BLACK BEAR LODGE, BRISBANE, QLD

Get tix here

Words by STEVE COPP

LISTEN TO MORE MUSIC HERE

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PHEBE STARR CONFRONTS SEXISM WITH STELLAR NEW SINGLE 'THEY KEEP TELLING ME'