Goldenhorse: Reporter

By Amanda Mills

Goldenhorse’s third album extends the trajectory established by their previous records. While keeping their signature sunny up-beat pop songs, (You Want It All and first single Jump Into The Sun), the band are delving into harder sounds with melancholic tones and lyrical themes. Goldenhorse have always had an effortless way with melody but the more appealing songs here are the ones where the melodies are more disjointed with interesting textures. Calico Reporter is one such track, and shows Goldenhorse tending towards electronica, with assured vocals from Kirsten Morrell. Accomplished musicianship is evident throughout ‘Reporter’, the first and last songs making excellent bookends to the album. Opening track The Last Train hints at a more expansive sound due to Geoff Maddock’s guitar work, while closer Change of Heart is a bleak highlight about the end of a relationship which is minimalist in lyrical tone, but with lush accompanying backing. The success of these songs points towards a musical direction Goldenhorse would do well to explore further. The album was produced by Goldenhorse, Phil Vinall (Placebo) and Clint Murphy, recorded at Roundhead and Montage Studios in Auckland.

Related Information

Issues

NZ Musician

February/March 2008