Personal travels and a sense of belonging inspire the riveting Wishing In A Fishbowl, the new album from Australian band Supahoney. Their dynamic sound maintains a consistent rock appeal, often with shades of ’90s nostalgia, amidst other tonal pursuits — like the alt-country/math-rock integrations within “Tumble” and the electronic textures that adorn “Fleiger.” Joining the band on the album are a number of talented session musicians, including Jenny McCullagh, Aidan Filshie, Lilly Innis, Maddy Briggs, Isobel Archer, Saskia Shearer and Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke.
Exemplary of the band’s knack for structural momentum, “Steve” opens the album with satiating impact. Dexterous percussion and trickling guitars intertwine into an introspective vocal presence. “I notice that blank faces stare into blank spaces and the invisible world,” they continue into a dreamily inviting shift, where the vocals ascend in pitch and guitars attain a jangly appeal — invoking a throwback warmness, reminiscent of The Wrens; it makes for a compelling kick-off to an album with a multitude of highlights. The concluding “I wanna go home,” plea also resonates in the album’s thematic context, emphasizing the search for a sense of belonging.
The ensuing “Foreigner” is an artful depiction of feeling lost, surrounding a hypnotic refrain — “my indifference is taken over, one step closer to be a foreigner,” — and arriving at an invigorating, distortion-friendly mid-section. The tonal ascent from solemn vulnerability into an ardent rock-forward spell is masterfully woven, and indicative of one’s acceptance of feeling like “a foreigner,” as they seek solace and salvation.
A heartfelt gem with unrequited love conveyances, “I Wish” weaves gorgeous strings and climactic acoustic strums into a second-half catharsis — pining “I wish you were mine,” as the strings converge with distorted guitars for a spine-tingling effect; there are shades of Smashing Pumpkins’ “Disarm” in the initial drive, and lovably so. Wishing In A Fishbowl consistently impresses in its range of dispositions, from the yearning balladry within “I Wish” and dreamy pop mystique of “Fleiger” to the title track’s anthemic rise, where multiple vocal layers and twangy guitars complement a stirring lyrical prowess.
“Wishing In A Fishbowl” plays like an apt centerpiece, pondering on indecision and “blurred vision,” and hoping for a new start. Water and ocean imagery complement these themes of renewal, and attaining that aforementioned belonging. “In the ocean’s faith, a chance to be remade,” the vocals exude, attaining a spirited quality in the multi-layered “I’ll just keep swimming down,” drive — melodically conveying the chase of something newer and brighter. “I’m stuck down here, but I feel rather fine,” they conclude, representing a catharsis in this quest for discovery.
Concluding the album, “Diptych” resembles a haunting processional with vague vocals, snippets of strings, and prancing keys; it feels apt for the end of a great personal journey, arriving at a strange but delightful place. Wishing In A Fishbowl is a moving success from Supahoney, touting consistently impressive songwriting across both anthemic heights and introspective dreaminess.
