Opener, From the Sun, introduces us quickly to both the musical and thematic inspirations that are entwined throughout the tracks on II. The stark chorus of “Isolation can put a gun in your hand” is balanced out with a much lighter composition of delicate guitar and fuzzy vocals. Similarly, single, Swim And Sleep (Like A Shark), weighs out shadier lyrics (“I wish that I could swim and sleep like a shark does/I’d fall to the bottom and I’d hide till the end of time”) with a catchy folk-funk melody and Neilson’s warm vocals.
Neilson has a great ability to bring in different elements from a variety of genres, whether they be soul, hip hop or rock, and infuse them with this vintage, lo-fi, psychedelic sound that the band became recognised for in 2011. One at a Time shows off some great 1970s wah-wah-inspired chord progressions before moving seamlessly into The Opposite Of Afternoon, a more reserved, Beatles-inspired song. The energetic apex of the album, Faded In The Morning, wouldn’t have been out of place on the band’s debut, and it’s great to hear something a little more upbeat and catchy thrown in on the album, too.
