Young Magic / Melt

Young Magic
Melt
(Carpark)
* *

According to legend, the Young Magic story began when fellow Australians Michael Italia and Isaacs Emmanuel were independently travelling Europe and South America, coincidentally recording songs along the way with whatever instruments they could find. Upon being introduced in New York by mutual friend Melati Malay, the trio formed a, well, trio – and brought together their instruments, experiences and influences to record this album, their debut, ‘Melt’.

The result is a naturally hippyish, lo-fi effort that I want very much to like (it’s the kind of thing I generally go for), but just can’t. The biggest problem I think is that they try and bring together a wealth of influences in each song and it’s just too much – if they were able to display some discipline and strip tracks like ‘Slip Time’ and ‘The Dancer’ back they might have something – but as it stands, with instruments and vocals fighting to be heard rather than complimenting each other… it just gives me a headache.