Album Review: Winter People - A Year At Sea

Winter People's A Year At Sea is haunting, evocative and as cool as their namesake season. As first offerings go, it's hard to fault this one; the seasonal Sydney sextet have really outdone themselves here. Dylan Baskind is the brainchild behind Winter People and has spent many years putting this release together; that A Year At Sea is so cohesive and endearing is a testament to how he truly got it right. The album can be loosely divided into ornate acoustic numbers with lots of multi-part harmonies and moody rockers that build into a passionate wall of sound.

Opening track The Banker's Lament is somehow indicative of the rest of the album and showcases the talents of all six band members. Like the majority of songs on the album, the lyrics are dark and deep, describing a corporate suit as he marauds his way around the city after hours. Standout singles and triple j favourites, Wishingbone and Gallons also feature beautifully crafted melancholic lyrics hidden behind Winter People's – what soon could be signature – layered music. Five out of the six band members are vocalists on the album, and the harmonies they lend to Wishingbone are spectacular. Similarly to Sigur Ros, Winter People tend to intertwine classical elements into their sound, a fusion that's evident in my favourite track Two's Company. Gentle female harmonies are met by a soft snare and then crash into a full, guitar-heavy track reminiscent of Silverchair's more orchestral songs.

A Year At Sea is of a calibre rarely seen in debut albums, and easily ranks as one of the best releases of the year for the genre. Appreciate it as a whole over a long, stormy evening with a bottle of scotch.