Written partly between “a brutal Brisbane summer and a bitter New Jersey winter”, this EP from Bigstrongbrute - musical alter ego of Paul Donoughue - is the successor to his self-released album, Gardens In The Gutter (2008, now out of print). What began as a solo project has blossomed into a group effort, both on stage and within this release: friends lend bass, trumpet, flute and piano to augment Donoughue’s frail guitar tone. Besides a contribution from Jessie Warren (aka Carry Nation), who provides guest vocals on ‘In My Own Mind’, it’s Donoughue’s deep, distinctive voice that dominates the mix. His songs are meticulously crafted, yet the end product is played loosely enough by the band to impart a sense of spontaneity and charm.

Although the middle tracks are populated with guests and musical bluster - Fergus Hill’s trumpet on ‘You Were Always Right’, a jarring, distorted electric guitar solo by Andrew Ford on ‘Supply & Demand’ - the EP begins with Donoughue alone, backed by acoustic guitar and piano. These six songs are kept intentionally uncomplicated and lo-fi (though Todd Dixon’s recording is clear and warm). They’re the sounds of loneliness forced into social interaction, before again seeking solace. Whether intentional or not, the disc’s narrative arc pits Donoughue as an emotionally ragged figure, one who has weathered experiences beyond his actual age (he’s in his mid-20s). The title track’s wordless coda - sung hesitantly at first, before gaining confidence with the help of a subtle brass section - is the EP’s strongest indicator of Donoughue’s outstanding ear for melody.

This is music for deep thought, for longing and small hours. Honest, self-doubting and deceptively complex, Bigstrongbrute’s take on guitar pop - slowed down, spaced out and filled with beautiful melodic embellishments - is nothing short of compelling.

by Andrew McMillen