Sounds like: That distinctive 80’s vibe rocked by bands like Haim, but with a soft side.

In her latest album There There, Australian singer-songwriter Megan Washington takes her listeners on a nostalgic carpet-ride back into the distant past, to a time of pulsating drum-beats and luscious synthesisers…Welcome, friends, to the 1980s.

After releasing her debut album I Believe You Liar in 2010, and mini-album Insomnia in 2011, Washington’s latest work showcases a more complex and mature exploration of love, life and loss. There There is an emotionally-charged record about real people and real experiences, giving it sense of sincerity and vulnerability not yet divulged by the fresh-faced 28-year-old artist.

With such a diverse collection of styles on the one album, There There is more than a lyrical outpouring of emotion – it also exhibits the artist’s mixed-bag of musical talent and her ability to spin a good old lyrical yarn. Songs like ‘My Heart is a Wheel’ and ‘Get Happy’ are infectious and optimistic, driven by an upbeat percussion line and a distinctive 80’s pop sound that harks back to the days of yesteryear. In stark contrast, gentle piano ballads like ‘Begin Again’ and ‘One for Sorrow’ evoke a sense of yearning and are sombre in tone, carried by Washington’s soft and emotive vocal quality. Some softer tracks do have the potential to fall flat, lacking any real high point, but nonetheless, the majority are raw, poignant and stripped back; there’s certainly no hiding behind impressive sounds effects or lush synths here.

Fans will appreciate her brave exploration of hard-hitting themes like anxiety, unfaithfulness, loss and love. In ‘Marry Me’, Washington sings of an engagement-gone-wrong, exploring the very real-life complexities of romantic relationships. With such honest and truthful lyrics, the variety of tracks and the different tones evoked in each song work effectively to change up the pace of the album and will keep listeners hooked from beginning to end.

There There certainly has heart and packs an emotional punch that will leave listeners feeling a whole lot more familiar with the girl behind the name.

3.5/5

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