- Indie rock is a very saturated market just at the minute and with the volume and range of new music coming out it can be hard to stand out and make an impact. However, Sydney quartet Body Type aren't about gimmicks, their self-titled debut EP manages without having to rely on anything besides their raw talent at songwriting, clever lyrics and laidback, fun tunes.
Opening track Ludlow (Do You Believe In Karma) starts off slow and drawled before building into a bouncing banger filled with sharp tongued lyrics and rippling guitar riffs - a trend that carries on throughout the whole EP. The light, driving guitar riffs complement the flat, sarcastic vocals (which at times are reminiscent of a more melodic Courtney Barnett). Lead singer Sophie McComish delivers her vocals with with that hint of sarcasm which isn't scathing pe se, but enough to turn lyrics into riddles and rhetorical questions.
However, also like Barnett, Body Type can sound a bit ‘same-samey’ throughout the body of the EP, which can be a bit of a downfall when trying to sell your sound on a debut release. Final track Arrow manages some necessary differentiation, being the highest point on the record, with some vocals almost squealed in places in a display of melodrama. Still, perhaps a more downtempo ballad or a high key blaster would have provided dynamic contrast, turning what is a solid record into a standout body of work, showcasing the diversity of the band. They've got the skills there, they're just not necessarily utilising them to the best of their ability.
This being said, Body Type’s self-titled debut EP is still a good place to start from, and in a live sense, they're sure to deliver a more energetic and dynamic performance. The seeds have been sown, now they just need a good watering to bloom.
- Olivia Shoesmith.