Bigbiglove

About

Katy Steele was best known as the younger sibling of The Sleepy Jackson leader (and future Empire of the Sun co-founder) Luke Steele when her Perth band released its 2004 debut album. But Steele immediately embarked on a long run in the spotlight herself, thanks to the strength of her songwriting and singing alike. Very much living up to its title, <i>BigBigLove</i> explores assorted romantic themes while striking a tidy balance between lingering 1990s alt-rock and more twangy, timeless qualities. Opener “Excited” definitely falls in the former camp, complete with gnashing riffs and Steele’s ringing, powerhouse vocals. A Top 30 hit in Australia, the ballad “Beautiful to Me” sits sweetly in the latter, underscoring its rootsy romance with slide guitar and piano before hitting that earworm chorus. Other songs locate moods between those two poles, with “Tonight’s the Night” providing a lighter and friskier approach to amorous intentions even as “Message to God” unpacks the existential pain of fresh heartbreak. <i>BigBigLove</i> scored four ARIA nominations and made Steele a major player in the Australian music scene. She piloted Little Birdy through two more albums before pivoting to solo work, though the band reconvened for this record’s two-decade anniversary in 2024. And it remains an ideal introduction, applying crisp arrangements and standout vocal performances even while cycling through different stylistic sweet spots.

via Apple Music