Beautiful Girls bring back reggae roots

The Beautiful Girls have become known for their rootsy pop, but surprised many with the darker direction of their second album We’re Already Gone, so it was always going to be interesting to hear what they’d come up with next.

Ziggurats is a solid follow-up, with the band further developing their sound and style, producing a record which should satisfy fans of their beachy roots/reggae sound but probably won’t blow anyone away. 

This album often has that synthesized 80’s reggae/pop sound, pioneered by groups such as the Police; this influence is no more obvious than on She’s Evil, with its keyboard and twangy electric guitar sitting nicely alongside Mat McHugh’s mellow vocal layers. 

I Thought About You has been incredibly well received by radio, it’s catchy chorus and simple grunty guitar hooks securing it a spot on the high-rotation list at Triple J. In Love has also had a fair bit of airplay. It’s an interesting song, with mostly mediocre lyrics and vocals but the grinding guitar and punchy horns make up for this and round it into an enjoyable tune.

The first cover on the album, UB40’s Bring Me Your Cup cultivates that cruisy laid-back sound the Beautiful Girls have become known for. And while it’s pretty and easy to listen to, it lacks any real oomph - it’s pure pop indulgence, whereas the next track, Spanish Town has that same summer beach vibe but the smooth horns and reggae beat make it much more memorable. 

The songwriting that’s gone into this album is somewhat patchy, with some songs boasting strong and thoughtful lyrics, while others miss the mark. Generals is one such example; what could have been sharp social commentary instead at times sounds rather tired and forced. Under A Southern Sky pays homage to the traditions of summer in Australia, unpicking the everyday with the eyes of one who’s been away from his hometown and forgotten it’s charms and hypocrisies. 

The second cover on here, Dela, is a sweet love song originally recorded by South Africa’s Johnny Clegg. I can imagine the reaction this one will get when it’s rolled out at the summer festival sets – lighters in the air, sing-along, this is an extremely likeable tune. The Beautiful Girls were wise to include this one as an album closer – it leaves the listener with a pleasant taste in the mouth.