The Homeland Recordings Album Review

Going into Summer there is nothing better than finding some new summery tunes to help pass time and make memories, I’m not sure that the newest Fly My Pretties album titled The Homeland Recordings fits into that ‘summery’ category. It does however, have a country roads and wide open spaces contemplative quality that will get you through the longest road trips, relaxed, heartfelt, and intimate, it reflects the spirit of many of the small kiwi towns FMP visited on their recent Homelands Tour.

The 13 tracks are all live recordings, utilising the exceptional musicians that FMP is famous for. This is an album full of raw, emotive and passionate lyrics and harmonies driving each track. Mel Parsons’ pensive Far Away is an early highlight her husky but oh so sweet voice layering a fast paced guitar track. So many contributing artists to be named as part of this collective, including Wellington’s Shaun Blackwell who rocks out with Beggin’ On My Knees and a crowd and fan favourite Anika Moa singing her beautifully honest new track Cry. Five Mile Town’s Louis McDonald draws you in with soft guitar and piano ballad titled Headlights. Ria Hall adds depth and culture in Let My People Go and ending with One, a vocally powerful bilingual track. Not forgetting to mention the brilliance of Kara Gordon, Mark Vanilau, Ryan Prebble, Mike Fabulous, Jarney Murphy, Nigel Patterson and the driving force Barnaby Weir.

Fly My Pretties is always full of naturally talented musicians who collaborate so well to create something distinctively kiwi. While The Homeland Recordings are a lot more than just a light summery album, it definitely deserves your attention as one to listen to this summer.