Carla Geneve - “Things Change”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…Black Belt Eagle Scout, Helena Deland, Courtney Barnett

Australian Carla Geneve shows nice range on her 2019 self-titled EP, an excellent debut of personal, electric songwriting in moments both quiet and direct. Centered around melancholic ballads like highlight “2001” and stark screamer “Yesterday’s Clothes”, Geneve adds layers of grunge and alt rock inflections to oftentimes give her songs unexpected density by tracks’ ends. The contrast of full and spacious play out adventurously on two of the longer tracks of the debut collection, “Empty Change” and “Juliette”, adding a visceral, building quality that gives Geneve’s songs heft and drive. While throwing back to 90s-influenced riffs, Geneve’s songwriting feels contemporary especially from an indie/bedroom rock lens. Her music is ultimately a vehicle for Geneve’s excellent way with words, cleverly writing moments like we’re in on an inside joke that could only exist in a relationship somehow both complex and comfortable. (Kevin McStravick)