PARSNIP: ‘ADDING UP’ EP REVIEW
Australian pop-rockers Parsnip have certainly been busy this lockdown. The release of ‘Adding Up’ rewards us in isolation with a stunning EP, epitomising the classic cheerful vibes we’ve all come to expect from Parsnip. It’s a 10-minute listen, fused with three sweet and upbeat original tunes. A cover of Fire’s 1968 song ‘Treacle Toffee World’ is also tossed in for good measure.
The unique lyrics are casually quirky. ‘Repeater’ is perhaps the most relatable to all of us trapped in our mundane lockdown realities. It laments a cyclical existence, “feels like I’m killing time / you go forward I go backward”, definitely encompassing that distance and separation we’re all currently struggling with. Even so, the bubbly melodies float on unremittingly and you’re left with your foot tapping. It’s just catchy.
‘Adding-up’, the song for which the EP is entitled, is a complete bop and an inviting first song. Stylised with the trademark Parsnip scrappy joy, it hooks you in from the first snappy set of demanding lyrics. The girl-group, formed in Melbourne, has stayed pretty much under the radar, but Parsnip’s sound is indisputable, and their 4800 monthly Spotify listeners should surely be over triple that figure with releases such as this. These girls are on the rise, and not wasting any isolation time.
In keeping with its spring-release (for us in the UK anyway!), it feels as light and fresh as the season itself. It may be short, but it’s undeniably sweet too. This is the perfect EP for fans of the indie-pop vibe, with a little bit of 60s style garage rock thrown into the mix to keep us all guessing.
This jangly EP is available digitally as well as on seven-inch vinyl, pressed by Australia’s Zenith Records. As proclaimed by Parsnip on their Instagram, the tracks are “silly and fun and quintessential Parsnip”- I wholeheartedly agree. Stick on the tracks for a little lockdown motivation and you’ll be dancing about in no time!
Original graphic design: Ot Pascoe (Inspired by listening to the EP)