ALBUM REVIEW: Heads I Win, Tails You Lose

HEADS I WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE
GOOD LAIKA
Words by Lucy Wyatt

Will the waves of beautiful music ever calm in Wellington? Listening to Good Laika’s debut album the answer has to be not likely. Heads I Win, Tails You Lose is a melancholy masterpiece. The warmth and honesty of these tracks are delivered like an old friend taking their seat next to you in your local, cozy drinking hole on a blustery Saturday afternoon. Their soulful, folky and heartfelt sound is fluid throughout the album. Fires, Keep Burning has a thoroughly laid back and mellow vibe, strumming along with a beautiful softness. The pace changes with Advertisement For A Pacemaker, the build up is deliberately moderated, not going too far, but fast enough for a good dance. Short, and remarkably sweet, Pretty Little Girl Of Mine mischievously rock and rolls along, vocals really ranging here with a sunny vibe, playing along together with the cheeky bass. The twinkle in this five-piece band’s eye took five years to capture, but why rush such a timeless and compelling sound.