We enter into Ravenistic’s artistic universe with a certain respect. You see, the Sydney-based songstress is not here to run behind trends or mainstream formulas. Instead, she champions a rather authentic brand of music-making, a songwriting effort that’s often honest and evocative, relatable and dreamy. ‘Cocktail Hour’ is the perfect evidence of it, a four-track EP that sees Ravenistic laying the foundation for the project’s upcoming album, ‘Trendy’. One of the first sensations when delving into the EP is its timeless aura. Channelling nostalgia with modern flair, the Aussie creative builds an aural profile that draws from retro-pop and traditional rock, never quite sounding derivative or stuck in time.
Thanks to that, ‘Cocktail Hour’ has a great chance of appealing to a wide audience of passionate listeners all around the globe. Heck, it even found its way to us in England! Geography aside, the record invites us in with playful, romantic allure, with opener ‘Sugar Baby’ offering a luscious, heartfelt abstraction on a former lover and the complexity around that relationship. We love the lyrical and melodic hooks in the songs, a quirky, keen blend between Cindy Lauper’s radio-friendly character and Cocteau Twins’ alternative shine.
Further ahead, ‘Memory Lane’ dives deeper into fierce guitar riffs and nostalgia-driven theming. ‘With Somebody Else’ partly follows suit, right before ‘The Perfect Thing’ brings the EP to a close with unmatched honesty and sonic eclecticism. If you are into the rock/pop of the 80s and 90s, ‘Cocktail Hour’ will likely cater to your taste, although, as mentioned, references are wide and timeless.
Recommended! Discover ‘Cocktail Hour’ now: