(In Finland)

Local busy boy delights on full-length individual statement

In the Brisbane indie scene, Nick Smethurst cuts a man-about-town figure. From his accomplishments as the ex-Mr Maps guitarist and under the guise of Let’s Not (But Say We Did) to full-time membership in Lion Island (whose leader Matthew Vale moonlights on accordion here) and Carry Nation (Jessie Warren also guesting on Mixed Metaphors and Everything Old Is New Again), the bespectacled muso’s activity rate is astonishing. Essentially a vehicle for the youthful whiz’s songwriting talents, Epithets’ brief (just over 30 minutes) self-titled debut is – aptly – a minimalist neo-folk record, led by trademark intricate, fingerpicked arpeggios and underscored by subtle string arrangements. Smethurst may not be the most technically perfect vocalist, but his voice has a pleasant timbre and he doesn’t over-emote. Already a notable instrumentalist, he also proves to be a gifted wordsmith with a penchant for the arcane. “If I could be the city of Hong Kong, all wrapped up in person, just for you, would your indecisive heart approve?” he quizzes on Hong Kong, while As Far Away As Amsterdam’s “to my undying credit, I was not distracted, which is not to speak ill of how you reacted” line would make Morrissey proud. Bookends Now See The Film and The Resolve give the CD a ‘soundtrack for a missing movie’ feel; if I were an arthouse filmmaker, I’d know whose number to call.

DENIS SEMCHENKO

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