- Idle Away is the new EP from Brisbane’s female fronted, quirky pop band Miss Elm. The four-piece, fronted by Erin Harrington have produced a short collection of songs that really epitomise their nonconventional pop outlook.
The opening track and first single from the EP, Growing Pains could almost be called whimsical if not for the jazzy bass line and synth melodies that transform Harrington’s vocals from just another pop song to something more substantial and just a little profound. That’s not to say that her quirky voice is diminished by the arrangement, the support and backing vocals really enhance her naturally high-pitched and offbeat style.
This is followed by Space, a lighter song that begins slightly slower but builds to a strong chorus primarily driven by a piano melody. The sugar-sweet lyrics and pop hooks create a playful and somewhat eccentric vibe, which is then carried through the rest of the EP.
In the third track, Baby Song, Harrington sings “Babies, she’s gonna have your babies” repeatedly throughout the choruses and then again for a big finale declaration about the character in the song having babies. This is kind of a clue to what this song is all about. Here the high voice of Harrington, harmonies from the band’s multi-talented flautist, Lucinda Bopf and the overall whimsy combined makes for a slightly creepy atmosphere. It takes you off guard a little and it’s only after repeated listens that the declarations about babies become less weird, maybe in that same way as the repetitive, ritualistic chanting works, when you join a cult. That Miss Elm! Quirky to the core.
The EP rounds up with Adelaide, a simple waltz with a beautiful flute melody from Bobf. It’s a slightly unusual instrument to hear in modern pop bands but it and the other ‘non traditional’ instruments definitely gives Miss Elm a creative edge. Overall Idle Away signals a band that have found the sound that they wanted to achieve and are now exploring exactly what they can do with what they have. While some may find the eccentricities of the songs off-putting, many more will find Miss Elm charming and engaging.

- Clare Armstrong.