PHIL SMITH

INTO THE NIGHT

INDEPENDENT

Tasmanian songwriter Phil Smith’s new album is one of those records that’s full of effortless sounding songs, where every note caresses and complements the next. There’s a specific kind of Australian Americana at play across the nine songs – part heartland rock, part jangly melodic rock. Overall though, it’s the songs and Smith’s easy-on-the-ear voice that makes this album such a joy to listen to.

Opener That’s Love For You’ sounds like Paul Kelly in a corner bar with Ryan Adams, ‘Pretty Thing’ possesses some wonderful acoustic guitar playing while ‘Let Me In’ again recalls Adams’ approach of big emotive musical swells and sways with a similarly dynamic vocal. 

‘Paramount’ is the centrepiece of the record. Across more than seven minutes we’re taken on a compelling, slow burning journey through heartbreak and loneliness. It’s not all melancholia though. Both ’95 South’ and ‘Highway Song 2 (Revisited)’ pick up the pace with spirited country rock ’n’ roll and a Dylan-esque rattle and shuffle.

The perfect soundtrack for a windows-down road trip, whether its the wide open roads of the outback or a coastal sojourn, Smith’s captured an evocative set of alt-country songs that stir the emotions and spark one’s imagination, with conviction and authenticity. 

Chris Familton