SHANE Nicholson had the sense when producing Tori Forsyth’s album Dawn Of The Dark to place her vocal front and centre in the mix.
It is simply the sparkling highlight of an assured and versatile debut from the Kurri Kurri 22-year-old.
On the folky Broke Machine she sounds fragile as she sings “I’m a broken record and you’re broke machine, but please don’t lie to me,” but then on the rockabilly number Redemption Forsyth is like an empowered Dolly Parton.
Forsyth’s music is often coined “gothic country” and her focus definitely dwells on the darker fringes of the genre, especially lyrically.
Guilt is a constant theme. On Hell’s Lullaby she sings, “I drank holy water, but it rotted my teeth,” and then “Mirror on the wall how do I stand up to them all,” on Snow White.
Expectations have been building for Forsyth since her 2015 EP Blackbird and Dawn Of The Dark fulfills them with interest.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
