Trick of the Light, the debut album from Melbourne soul outfit That Gold Street Sound, has been six years in the making. It was time put to good use though, because this is one of the slickest soul albums I’ve heard in some time. There’s an impressive polish to the recording, yet the songs have lost none of the spontaneity and energy that makes this band one of the most exciting acts on the local music scene.
The album is book-ended by “The Struggle.” The first take has a feelgood retro groove. It’s the perfect introduction to the upbeat, classic soul sounds that dominant this album. “The Thrill,” with its bouncy bass line and cool interplay between the horns and electric guitar, makes me want to find the nearest dancefloor. Moving straight into the sassy “Last Man,” we barely have time to catch our breath. Even when vocalist Shaanika Marguccio sings about her isolation and longing for a relationship in “Only Lonely” or being let down time and time again in “Make It Right,” those big brassy horns create a party atmosphere.
Trick of the Light does show a few different complexions though. There’s a cool bluesiness to the title track and its follow up, “Home by Nine.” “Rain” is a beautiful ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place in the discography of Etta James or Gladys Knight. And then there’s that closing number, the piano version of “The Struggle.” It’s so stripped back it takes a moment to gel it’s the same song as the album opener. While I loved the vibrancy of the original version, this one moves me so much it might just be my favourite cut on this album. However, with so many stellar songs, I’m not quite sure. Perhaps I’ll just have to give the album another listen to be certain.
Trick of the Light is out now.