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Reviewed by Jesse Austin

Fly My Pretties: String Theory

Reviewed by Jesse Austin

Fly My Pretties: String Theory

The mostly Wellington collective have now released their sixth album since 2004. Recorded in August, live at Paramount Theatre in Wellington and Mercury Theatre in Auckland, this 13-track album is an exploration in creating music that is a living, breathing organism. The list of quality musicians featuring includes the constant part of the ensemble Barnaby Weir, A Girl Named Mo, Bailey Wiley, Ills Winter, Miloux, Ria Hall, Iraia Whakamoe, James Coyle, James Murphy, Laughton Kora, Mike Fabulous, Nigel Patterson, Ryan Prebble and Tiki Taane. This eclectic album seems to transcend genre. Every Mystery features an incredible vocal delivery from Ills Winter supported by a warm bed of guitar. The ambient textures of Something To Hold that seem to build upon each other layer by layer becomes a fully immersive experience. Hearts features a soulful vocal from Bailey Wiley, with a solid groove sitting underneath, not overplaying, but serving the song. The truth is that to only talk about a couple of songs from this album is quite difficult. ‘ String Theory ’ seems to have fingers in all sorts of pies, while at the same time feeling like a cohesive body of work, created by musicians who not only know themselves, but also know each other intimately.