Papa VS Pretty - United In Isolation review

'Life's Got A Hold On Me' is a perfect electric kick-off to United In Isolation. It gets you ready for an epic and rocking journey with its enigmatic riff fused with a taste of the lyrical depth you can expect to explore throughout the record.
United In Isolation moves effortlessly into its second offering which is sure hit 'One of the Animals'. Still on a roll of pure energy, the transition is almost perfect. This song is possibly going to be the greatest radio track from the record.
'Charity Case' is a little eerie to start with. At first you feel like you've stepped into a twilight zone full of spinning clocks and swirls only to be hit with a tasty riff before the song slows into the first verse. Your first impression is 'where is this going and do these different elements work?' but somehow it all comes together for the chorus and all these themes marry perfectly. Rawle has the ability to match lyrical depth with a rocking vision of what a commercially feasible track should sound like without sounding too "Nova."
Unfortunately every album has its filler tracks, and Papa VS Pretty are able to supply one of the shiner fillers around but 'Look For Me' serves as this nonetheless. Having personally witnessed a lot of Rawle's back catalog of songwriting and previous EP work, this track could have easily been 'Shoot' or the beautiful 'I Still Believe In Us'. In saying this, it suits the record and isn't a stinker by any means.
'Honey' is another great pop/rock number. Having seen this track live I can argue the energy it creates, although it seems a simple song format with an incredible solo it really takes off towards the end. You can't judge the face value of this song, it really does resonate after a few plays.
United In Isolation harbours an energy of romance and ultimately rejection in its presence with themes of anger. Someone mentioned to me that they didn't know these three guys could be so vicious; fact is I knew it and 'Conquistador' is no exception to that. It's catchy, straight-up and ends breathlessly. This contrasts greatly with the more mellow ballad 'I Felt Nothing' which delicately slows the tempo of the record and gives us a more intimate perception of Papa VS Pretty. It's here we can really hear the influence Jeff Buckley has on Rawle. These two tracks marry love and war and we can see the conflict between the emotions behind the songwriting. This is one of my personal favourites from the record.
Clever enough to know not to let a sad note linger, the boys ascend us into 'Darkest Way' which sounds like an upbeat happy song but when you listen closely, it's more than that. This song seems to be a about very intimate friendship that never quite culminates into what you'd expect. I like this song because it's an example of what Papa VS Pretty do best and that's disguising deeper meaning with catchy as hell hooks. They're not happy and they're not sad, if you will.
The first time I heard 'Bitter Pill' I felt it was just another perfect example of Rawle's vocal range. The pacing of this song is perfect as it builds into its unique power, housing another Prince'esque solo. My favourite part of this track comes at the very end where we hear a new element on the record; it's what appears to be a fusion of news broadcasts and televisions voices hauntingly at war through a static. I like when bands exercise different recording materials into their music because it's really hit or miss. Being a fan of Brand New's Daisy opener, this technique sat well with me and it finishes 'Bitter Pill' in an interesting tone, it makes you want to re-listen to see if you missed something.
United In Isolation starts to wind down with 'Suit and Burn'. We get to explore again some vicious lyrics as vocals snarl, "Do your worst 'cause I can take it!". It's safe to say Papa VS Pretty can write a solid harmony no matter the mood of the song. This song also seems to be very experimental with mixing techniques.
The last impression of this album is 'You Are Not In Love Anymore' and it seems like this has been a journey of lust, love and jaded heartbreak. This track is perfect. It completely captures what it's like to be young and have your passion fall by the wayside of someone you adore. The fancy circus de weird outro is an interesting closure but to me it displays the A.D.D in this group and the ability of being able to command so many sounds. These lads have to be careful not to cram too many techniques into one record lest they sound like they're over-doing it. That hasn't happened here but I'm sure there were a lot of ideas that wanted to be heard here.
For a debut album United In Isolation is choc full of raw emotion and serves as a break-up record you could rock out to and on of the more impressive Aussie LP's I've heard this year.