In an Australian pop scene increasingly flooded with gentle and airy crooners, it’s rare to find an act that balances ethereal vulnerability with a commanding voice. The latest offering from Ginger and Drum does just this and Zoe Gault’s vocals are the driving force behind their hypnotic allure.
Games from Ginger and Drum is a relaxing and immersive example of the ideal standard of modern indie pop, complemented by a carefully constructed melody and led by outstanding vocals.
The peaceful undercurrents of Games should not suggest that it is in any way boring. There is an edge of constant tension teasing at the ear, inviting listeners to lose themselves in the moment. Of the many artists whom consider Florence Welch an inspiration for their music, there aren’t very many capable of matching the sheer strength of the English singer’s voice.
Ginger and Drum proves an exception to this expectation. There’s no doubt that Gault is as comfortable performing an explosive power anthem as she is her particular brand of placid indie/electronic pop.
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It’s clear that Gault and partner in crime Andy Rawson pulled a Bon Iver and took very little time off honing their sound during their hiatus. The downsizing of their act seems to have streamlined them, and forced them to focus on the kind of music they really want to create and why.
What seems like a simplistic tune on the surface offers a complex listening experience of haunting lyrics and singing that is part eagerly hopeful, part wistfully melancholy.
After the success of Habits, Games further establishes the duo as more than just another upcoming act. Their latest single sets a standard for the quality of music we should expect from the genre, as well as demonstrating the surprisingly rare versatility of Gault as a vocalist.
