Homelife’s sound is one I found pretty hard to pin down and analyse. The first track sounds like a band that would play Woodstock with flowers in their hair and peace signs on their guitars. Moving through you hear an intense Hawaiian theme- suddenly you’re transported to a deserted beach on Maui craving a hog roast. Next thing you know the music takes a turn for the modern and you’re at a bohemian house party with people smoking shisha and discussing politics. In other words, this album is fantastic.
The fact that the duo, Paddy Steer and Tony Burnside are from Manchester makes it ten times better- how did they come up with this living in a concrete jungle? As it turns out, this was their inspiration. Exotic Interlude is their way of adding a touch of exotic beauty to their otherwise bland city scape. And they did a damn good job.
The reason for the varied stylings here is probably due to the extensive list of contributors all inputting a bit of their own “exotic” style. It turns out Homelife was originally a home recording experience that apparently grew legs and ran away with them (all the way to Hawaii it would seem). The DIY element is what holds the album together, all recorded at home with some homemade instruments. Starting to understand why they call themselves Homelife….
This album is incredibly relaxing with fantastic guitar work, especially the fluid use of the Hawaiian guitar- really does transport you. The fact that you can’t pinpoint all the instruments just adds to the fantasy because you realise you don’t care. It doesn’t matter how they made that swishy noise in the background- you’re just happy they did.
The lyrics in here are worth noticing too, in ‘Lincoln Square’ especially. Lines such as, “Here I go, I’m losing myself in you/ you’re a good place to get lost in.” And even the deliciously simple, “Drinking coffee in Lincoln square/ did you know I was waiting all this time?” become somehow profound when set against their hypnotic melodies.
Standout tracks: ‘Circles’, ‘Sunday Streets’, ‘Lincoln Square’, ‘More Wine’
A perfect album to get thoroughly lost in.
Words: Kat Nicholls