EP Review: Wait For You

The date has come, and the release of the new five track EP Wait For You by George After James is out now. George After James is a project by James Fistonich and his band who are Auckland based. Originally from Hamilton, James spent the first eighteen years of his life in central China where his love for music evolved. Now vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of George After James, this EP gives us an array of his cordial passage through his tale of two worlds. It is clear that music is the best way he knows how to define this journey. This EP is a treasured style of music you want to sit down and let resonate with you.

George After James have been playing gigs around the country including Wellington, Napier and Palmerston North. James and the band so far have received unselfish recognition for the release of the debut single In Your Hands (You Won’t Let Go), recorded at Roundhead Studios and live at Red Rabbit and Co., viewable here, which is now the energetic track number two of the EP.

Known for his “soaring vocal melodies,” James is one to melt the listener with his sonorous voice and falsetto. The band brings together the organic yet intricate sound of indie and folk music with no standard set up. Each track epitomises it’s sonic layering of instruments with melodic guitar riffs, rhythmic chorus’ and percussive build-ups, giving a very uplifting and full-bodied sound.

Track one, All Around, opens with homely finger-picking, and soft vocals. Just over a minute in, James’ voice booms in richness, where a beautiful ascending pitch is struck with genuine lyrics depicting a tale of “lost and found”. The lyrics begin the myriad of feelings that introduce his story of change and cultural displacement, balancing a simultaneous sense of hope and finding. The drumming then progresses the next song layer, of which multiple guitar melodies liven the tune. Track three, One I Call I Home, has a longer intro which tells a heavier story of pain and love. The keys really accompany this song with lyrics that paint imagery you won’t forget. Goodbye is floaty tune; an ode to nature you could easily sit in solitude to and appreciate. If listened to closely, the brush strokes resemble falling autumn leaves and rain; a metaphor for change.

The EP ends in Wait For You, which has skilful and folk-like guitar melodies throughout with another jazzy/blues guitar solo that builds up to a dynamic vocal finish; ending the craft and leaving us with a warm message of hope and gratitude.

The full EP was recorded at Roundhead Studios, engineered by Emily Wheatcroft-Snape, Angus Grainger, and Paddy Hill. Mixed by James Fistonich and mastered by Oliver Harmer at The Lab Studios.

You can stream Wait For You on SoundCloud here and all major streaming!