EIGHTY NINETY - THE NIGHT SKY
On June 10, NYC-based Eighty Ninety, composed of vocalist Abner James and guitarist Harper James, released their EP The Night Sky.
It has eight songs, a substantial difference in length compared to their 2016 debut Elizabeth, which has three. As a result, this is sure to be a major milestone for these brothers even though they’ve been making music together for quite some time.
The opening album-titled track is the epitome of a nighttime driving song with its delicate but catchy lyrics such as, “Count the stars/Whenever you are lonely/But I could see a lifetime/In that look in your eyes.” The next song ‘Better as Friends’ puts a common dilemma – wanting to tell someone your romantic feelings but fearing the status of the friendship if the feelings aren’t mutual – into sensible questions.
‘Heart on the Line’ features a tambourine that lightly carries the song into a potential new phase of a relationship. ‘Forever’ makes it clear that the singer is willing to commit to this person, even if it means disrupting other plans. ‘Walking You Home’ is an upbeat, mostly instrumental song, a collaboration with Harper's solo project Middle Youth.
‘Happier’ features a soothing falsetto in the chorus and in the resolving outro. The epic drums in ‘Know Me’ bring attention to Abner’s relief of being understood by his lover. And lastly, ’Thinking of You' starts as an acoustic track but ends with an electric guitar and synth strings, communicating closure and appreciation of the relationship.
Throughout The Night Sky, Eighty Ninety’s dreamy and intimate indie-pop production serves well with the fresh lyricism. And the feeling of going on an uncertain but hopeful and transcendent journey, whether it’s a relationship or another undertaking, is no doubt provided by this memorable EP.
Sophia Campana
★★★★☆