EP Review: Oxygen

The Oxygen EP is the debut release of Invercargill singer-songwriter Alice Foulds; the four-track EP having total run-time just short of 16 minutes.

Opening track Not Human is really the stand out song on the album. Not necessarily in terms of the best being the best quality song on the record, but its style differentiates itself from the rest of the EP. Aptly named, the vibe originates from a different source to the other three songs, and has a much darker, gritty atmosphere. The shortest track on the release, it’s an interesting choice to open with.

Lose You has three main components to its sound; acoustic guitar, vocals, and ambience. Alice Foulds clearly has a lot of confidence in her singing voice, as there is nothing to hide behind, with no vocal effects (unlike in later track Oxygen). With beautiful melodies and a certain smoothness to the voice, it almost feels nostalgic with a mix of the early 2000’s musical styling from Dido’s Life For Rent album, the clean natural voice of Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn, and the energy and vitality of Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles.

A more keys and piano-centric track with clean vocals over the top comes next with Drought. Exhibiting a nice grain to the voice on the lower notes, and good consistent volume throughout her range, Alice Foulds vocal style is incredibly enjoyable to listen to. The higher range notes have an almost “cute” sound to it; Sweet and mellifluous and builds towards some nice dual vocal harmonies. Drought is the longest track on the EP with a runtime of over 5 minutes.

The release closes with the titular track, Oxygen. Ambient Indie is the closest I can get to classifying and categorizing this style of music. Very breezy sound with synths rising, ebbing and flowing adjusting the intensity from moment to moment, the track is breathy, with some intriguing guitar picking which would not usually work in such a piece, but adds a nice clean melody to the track (almost creating a Dire Straits feel). Vocals are less of a focal point in this track; more of an accompaniment. A fitting end to the EP.

The EP as a whole, has a very relaxed and tranquil sense telegraphed throughout. Airy, curious, and adventurous, as a listener you are simultaneously comforted and confronted with something exciting. It feels right; like a young budding love. Organic and natural, there is something simply endearing about it.