Hailing from Bundjalung Country, 20-year-old singer-songwriter Budjerah shines with his second EP, ushering in a new sound and maturity to his voice. ‘Conversations’ is seven tracks long, and takes the listener on a playful, emotive, and profound journey. Through once again collaborating with his mentor Matt Corby and Chris Collins (whose CV includes Skeggs, Tyne-James Organ, Azure Ryder), Budjerah’s authenticity remains intact, and the addition of Konstatin Kersting (Mallrat, The Jungle Giants , Tones and I) into the fold brings about a new sound.
The records begins with smatterings of futuristic chimes that create an air of anticipation, a hint of new things to come. It quickly bleeds into the soul-driven single “Get Down”, with gentle and sonorous gospel harmonies. A ballad and melody-oriented piano enters in the bridge, paired with Budjerah’s soaring vocals to make for a memorable listening experience.
“What Should I Do?” sees Budjerah lament the fact that his mates simply aren’t calling him. The song is funky, with a thick and bouncing baseline that complements his deep brooding voice. Giving a small nod to disco, the track is the perfect blend of fun musicality with lyrics that hit home. “It’s like no one cares about what’s going on /Could it be that I’ve done something wrong?” — searing lyrics outlining sentiments that every young person has felt. Budjerah sings of friendships at that tender age when people changing, and moving on is always hard to reconcile. It’s a tumultuous time, and yet he has managed to make an absolute bop of this.
“Wash My Sorrows” is an neo-soul ballad, with gentle piano notes, and slow drum beats that allow Budjerah’s voice to soar to new emotional heights. The track tugs at the heartstrings and stays in line with the slow groove of the EP, before “This Is The Interlude” arrives as a breathe of fresh air. It should’ve been an entire track, but perhaps Budjerah’s just dangling it there like a tasty hint of what his future might bring. The single brings about the sound of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, a faster singing pace, and it might even be said that it teases us with the possibility that Budjerah could rap.
The final track “My Name” is the most subdued song on the EP, but that doesn’t mean it lacks substance. It’s victorious and emphasis using your voice, loud and clear. The lyrics “They gon’ know my name” are repeated, making a statement about the sure fact that Budjerah is building his legacy.
‘Conversations’ is a combination of the tones and notes we’ve come to expect from Budjerah, but with stark growth in both song-writing and style. The record is short, sweet, funky and delightful, whilst maintaining a raw honesty that imbues it with universal emotion and a personal touch.
Lead image by Elliott Lauren Ryan.