Words by Kris Peters
Release date: June 23
Burning Girl Records
I must admit to a little scepticism when this album came across my desk, mainly due to the headline which reads “Former MUD guitarist Rob Davis who penned the Kylie Minogue hit ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ co write on ‘Forever Is Nothing’ a Pop/Rock/Punk/Rock Ballad masterclass from hotly tipped Dark-Pop/Rock artist Tizane.”
But, a small (very small) part of me remembers back to the days when a pimple-faced Krispy used to watch Kylie on Smash Hits back in the day, so I figure if it’s good enough for the younger version of me, then it’s surely good enough for the slightly older version!
Besides, the press release also promises more guitars on Forever Is Nothing, which follows up from Tizane’s 2021 debut Cherry.
Opening with the softer strains of Off The Edge we are immediately introduced to the beautifully smooth voice that is Tizane. It is instantly mesmerizing and succulent, cruising into the start of the album with a gradually building pace that ebbs and flows in an ethereal fashion that emphatically proves the vocals are the platform from which this offering will be built.
Oh yeah, and there are some cool guitars going on.
Don’t Tell Me The End sweeps into life next and immediately plunges into a tasty guitar riff that maintains its strength despite the once more pleasantly soothing vocals that quickly drive the track.
Her voice reminds me a little of Ella Hooper from Killing Heidi back she was young and full of innocence, but Tizane has a strength and control that go beyond her tender years.
You can almost feel the venom simmering just below the surface, and it sounds like this lady has a bit of anger and angst to let loose on the world. A nice little guitar-led breakdown three parts through introduces a more upbeat touch that rolls along with a wicked drum fill that carries the track through until its quickening conclusion.
When The Ravens Leave is one of my known favourite acoustic style numbers that flows along gently with a dreamy ambience that maintains momentum based solely on the beauty of Tizane’s voice.
And then, just as I reach for the skip button, the song kicks in with more urgency and I find myself wondering how often in the past I have jumped the gun prematurely…
Well, I didn’t this time, and I’m glad because this track shimmies through a range of moods and emotions, all delicately balanced in the guise of a ballad but with a much rougher interior.
I’m Not Her goes full acoustic from the intro, note slides and all.
It’s hard to resist when the vocals are this powerfully stunning, but I’m not a ballad kind of guy (as we have already established), so I shall pause momentarily to make sure…. And make my way to the next song Small World (although after shifting deeper into this track there is a salvageable period that tightens the reigns a little, but not enough for me).
Small World kicks up a hornets’ nest with a clever hazy guitar – almost stoner rock-esque – intro before Tizane tells us “I know I talk too much” and “I must think first before I say something wrong” and this is where the Devil on my left shoulder is urging me to pipe up while the Angel on my left is pushing me in the opposite direction.
And this is in general reference, not Tizane, but I shall leave it there me thinks.
This is a rocking track with a nice range of guitar techniques. It’s more softer rock verging on something harder, but it’s still a great listen.
A cool little bass run mid-way through adds another layer to the track, with the guitar creeping in sporadically for ultimate effect.
Pick of the album so far.
Every Minute has a softer sound to it and starts as such, with a rumbling kick drum counting in the song. It’s a more up-tempo number that leans more to the pop-rock side of things, but when the music is this much fun who has time to corner it into one particular genre?
Who’s Gonna Hurt Me Now – it really sounds like poor Tizane has had a rough trot thus far in life – flows gently on the strength of a meandering guitar riff that sits nicely under a vocal intro from Tizane that once more accentuates her natural beauty.
This song is a ballad of sorts but without the usual acoustic interludes manifests itself into deeper territory. By the time the electrics really kick in it is easy to have been swept away courtesy of Tizane’s welcoming voice, with the song quickening pace and tempo before retreating into itself on numerous occasions that create maximum effect.
A sustained and pretty damn impressive guitar solo carries the track into and through its final minute and offers a glaring glimpse into just how heavy Tizane could go if she one day chooses. Great touch!
Running starts off like something you would expect from Gold Coast outfit The Silencio – and I love those guys so is high praise indeed.
Again, Tizane carries the weight of expectation dutifully on her shoulders and once more emerges triumphant. More chunky guitars dominate at set intervals here, adding further credence to my earlier statement that Tizane have many more gears to shift through as their musical career progresses.
Why Not Me eases out of the gates awash with a casual guitar riff that again introduces Tizane’s vocals impressively.
You can almost feel the raw emotion in her voice such is the conviction of her delivery and that is no more evident than on this track. It is a stuttering and rolling number with an underlying sense of hope and promise that oozes out of every note.
The title track closes out the album, with delicate finger-picking on the guitar setting the tone for more musical ambience. This is even more vocally driven than most of the songs previously and is the perfect farewell tune, showcasing all of Tizane’s strengths and focusing on the musical positivity created by the preceding nine songs.
The pace quickens about halfway through as the rest of the band elects to join in the party, carrying the song the distance with the soft and sultry vocals of Tizane trailing effortlessly into nothingness to complete what was a thoroughly enjoyable outing.
Although this album isn’t hard rock by any means it’s still a rollickingly joyous adventure that is exacerbated by the vocal prowess of Tizane. It is impossible not to be swept up in her vocal beauty and if the moments of heaviness hinted at throughout manifest into something more on future albums, sign me up!
If not, there is enough of everything else going on here to welcome even the most hardened listener.
