The Animators have been building a following since 2009, from a kickstart providing the soundtrack for a documentary film, through to supporting acts like Bonjah and winning over Triple J audiences.

Adaptations takes four tracks from front man David Cuthbertson, with significant work from collaborators Michael Di Cecco on drums and Simon Michalski on bass. The tracks are all tightly performed, recorded and produced, with a strong opening with Goosewing, which showcases Cuthbertson’s close, intimate voice, which floats over an intense, driving track. Radiohead is an influence here, in instrumentation, but also coincidentally in some of the vocal stylings.

Other tracks feature heavy use of drums and piano, and working through a focused (although not broad) range, and giving more opportunity for Cuthbertson’s vocals and loops to shine through.

Overall, the EP features a strong showing of songs, although some of the songwriting is yet to find its feet, with the track Alien feeling a bit clunky in the lyrical and instrumental following of the theme, while still being a solid track regardless.

Adaptations is available through Bandcamp.

Originally published in Rocket.