Album Review: The Preatures' 'Girlhood'

2017
11 songs
Length: 43:26
Available to buy from the band's website

I’m a big fan of The Preatures. I love their first album, the 2014 hit ‘Blue Planet Eyes,’ and listen to it regularly. It’s a feel good, pop rock album; a guaranteed mood lifter. Needless to say, I was pretty excited about the release of the band’s second album ‘Girlhood.’

The Sydney four piece, fronted by Isabella ‘Izzi’ Manfredi on vocals and guitar, initially achieved success with their breakthrough hit single ‘Is This How You Feel?’ which came in at number 9 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 and saw them playing Glastonbury, Coachella, Bonnaroo and the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. ‘Blue Planet Eyes’ was an extension of ‘Is This How You Feel?’ chock full of catchy, rock and soul tunes that you just HAVE to shake your hips to. ‘Girlhood’ however, is something quite different.

The album’s opening and title track kicks off in the same vein as their debut album and is catchy as hell; the stuff hit singles are made of. But the rest of the album doesn’t follow suit. There are more layers on ‘Girlhood,’ which make for a more mature offering this time around.

Listening to this album, I can’t help thinking of the Divinyls or the Pretenders. Particularly on the tracks ‘Lip Balm’ and ‘Girlhood.’ There is definitely the sense that the band is exploring a host of different influences here, more so than on their debut, and not limited to musical influences either. The indigenous Darug language of Sydney is featured on the track ‘Yanada,’ which is Darug for moon. Manfredi also speaks some Italian on ‘Something New.’ Says Manfredi ‘I’m a first generation Australian, My dad came over here on a boat as an Italian immigrant. My mother is Scottish, Irish and English-Australian. I was born on Gadigal land. Understanding and respecting those histories is part of who I am. I’m trying to find some harmony in the contrasts.’

‘Girlhood’ is full of ballads that showcase Manfredi’s sweet voice. ‘Your Fan’ is the most classic example. ‘The First Night’ is a slow burn, heavy on the guitar with some crashing cymbals and gorgeous reverb. ‘Magick’ is a dreamy pop rock ballad that creates an ethereal atmosphere. ‘Cherry Ripe’ pairs percussive beats with a lovely slow, dreamy tempo.

‘Girlhood’ is also more of a rock album than its predecessor. That isn’t to say that there aren’t plenty of pop gems though. ‘Mess It Up’ sports an 80’s tropicana vibe, complete with synth, a funky bassline and a killer guitar lick. ‘Nite Machine’ feels like disco rock and ‘I Like You’ is perfectly pop.

As a follow up to ‘Blue Planet Eyes,’ the latest album from The Preatures, ‘Girlhood,’ doesn’t disappoint. If you’re expecting more of the same, don’t be. ‘Girlhood’ is not a sequel. It’s an exploration into new territory for the band, but a natural evolution as opposed to a step away from the groovy pop rock of their debut.