Follow-up EP from duo.
The new EP from Angus & Julia Stone beautifully titled 'Heart Full of Wine' comes packaged with their previous EP, the easily loveable 'Chocolates & Cigarettes'. Although fans who already own that EP may be disgruntled for new fans this means getting hold of all of the siblings' music at once, an important factor considering their music is about as addictive as chocolate and just as enjoyable.
Opening with the haunting 'What You Wanted' with stirring vocals from Julia, the EP grabs you by the throat with its emotionally unsettled narrative spilling its contents over the listener. 'Fooled Myself' is a less sombre affair with Angus taking over on vocals for a more gentle acoustic song which elegantly and effectively makes use of the harmonica, perhaps the most underestimated instrument of our time.
The EP's title track is a soft acoustic song with lush harmonies and whispered vocals from Angus. The simplicity of the offerings here is a large factor in being bewitched by the duo, if you like your music emotive and subtle then you are definitely on to a winner.
'I'm Yours' is another emotionally wrenching venture thanks to Julia's stirring voice, and its brief length makes it all the more effective, like someone important whose face is slipping from memory, fleeting but vital. 'Sadder Than You' contains the beautiful lyric "he told me I'd taste the pain, and I taste it every day", to be followed by "you win, sadder than you". Obviously not a song suitable for parties but certainly one fit to accompany 3am soul searching.
This EP highlights that Angus & Julia Stone are fast developing into a musical marvel with their songs of sadness and loss. 'Heart Full of Wine' is a more bleak effort that 'Chocolates & Cigarettes' so this pairing of the two sees them complement each other nicely, and after all, chocolate and wine suit each other perfectly.