It doesn’t seem that long ago that Sydney’s Caitlin Harnett released her first band album with The Pony Boys, but in fact three years have passed. In the meantime, through a pandemic, Harnett’s career has gone from strength to strength, becoming an in demand live act across the country and scoring some impressive international supports for the likes of Charley Crockett and Orville Peck.

The good news is that her success hasn’t distracted from writing another superb batch of songs and capturing the spirit, verve and heartstring swerves of them in these rich and organic recordings. This time around the band sound even more relaxed and in the pocket, allowing space for melodies to unfurl, repeat and evolve as Harnett narrates the soundtrack to one’s rebuild after climbing out of a dissolving relationship.

Brilliant horns (on ‘Can’t Have It All’) and an enhanced swing in the band’s sound adds both weight and sweet relief when needed. At times there’s the wooziness of a Mac DeMarco or Kurt Vile (‘Lil Ripper’), Crazy Horse meets Mazzy Star-like dream pop (‘Only Dreaming’), 70s West Coast perfection (‘Sidelines’), pure and infectious pop moments (‘Even Cowgirls Cry’), heartbreaking odes to lost friends (‘Max’s Song’) and plenty of soulful Americana.

A wider sonic palette with a greater focus on space, tone and texture, a balance of lushness and grit and Harnett’s intoxicating melancholic ache and twang combine with absolutely world class songwriting right across All Night Long. A strong contender for Australian alt-country album of the year.

Chris Familton