Everything, When Said Slowly

Description

In addition to being a wild cat of the Americas, The Ocelots are also twin brothers Ashley and Brandon Watson, originally from Wexford, Ireland, but after traveling across Europe and Australia, they currently reside in Leipzig, Germany. "Everything, When Said Slowly" is their second album and it was recorded in their hometown of Wexford after a Kickstarter campaign, and features the brothers’ sibling harmonies with songs written individually by Ashley and Brandon, along with one co-write. The Watson brothers play guitar, piano and clawhammer banjo and are joined on some tracks by Conor Cunningham, Jessie Monk, Pauli Eschenburg and co-producers Cillian Byrne and Lorcan Byrne, who add an atmospheric color. Historical Irish migration and their own experiences of leaving Ireland and Australia helped shape the songs on the record, which reflect a view of life informed by literature and, in some cases, a sense of absurdity. The opening track “The Lighthouse” gives a good idea of what to expect from The Ocelots as it features Ashley and Brandon on a song about wild dogs searching for scraps and their journeys against an oceanic backdrop. The Ocelots’ pop intelligence is on display on “About You,” which sees their harmonies and acoustic guitars joined by a full band including flute and synths. Brandon’s “Landlords” brings the banjo to the fore and manages to evoke the idea of a sunny day. On “Australia,” Ashley connects his own travels to Irish migration on a song that references Tom Wait’s “Rain Dogs,” a major influence on the brothers. “Joy Outside” has a rich soundscape that would not be out of place on a 60s psychedelic compilation. The piano takes center stage on “The Good of a Bad Year,” which is comforting in the way of a winter evening. Warm summer days are evoked on “Clé de la porte d'entrée.” The brothers’ sound takes on a more rock-tinged feel, with the banjo ever-present, on “Fool To Want You.” Cycling is the source of inspiration for “Tunnels,” which brings The Ocelots back to more familiar pop-folk territory. The Ocelots offer their take on a wordy love song with “Innocence of Love,” which turns into unexpected dissonance in the music. Italo Calvino’s book of the same name inspired “Les Villes invisibles,” confirming The Ocelots’ literary and travel interests.