The best surprises are always the ones you least expect. Coming out of Australia, Singer-Songwriter Eliza Klatt had dreams and aspirations for her band Eliza & The Delusionals, but never would have expected the success of the single “Just Exist.” Formed in 2016, and working as an independent band around Australia early on, Eliza & The Delusionals found their way when the single “Just Exist” hit places like SiriusXM Alt Nation in 2019, on its way to becoming a breakthrough hit. A great introduction to the world of this Alternative Rock band, the single showcased a knack for melody and thoughtful songwriting which garnered a slew of attention, eventually spilled over into their first ever North American tour with Silversun Pickups in early 2020.
A remarkable rise, the band built on the exposure, further impressing with the 2020 EP A State of Living in an Objective Reality, which included such songs as “ALIVE,” before the build up for their stunning 2022 debut full-length album Now and Then. Proving to be an act with substance that offers a breath of fresh air to the modern Alternative scene, now in 2024, Eliza & The Delusionals are prime to the next step in their evolution with Make It Feel Like The Garden. The band’s second overall full-length album, it was preceded by the namesake single released back in March, among others. Possessing a similar magic as their prior works, it seemed these singles were only a preview… because the rest of the album takes you in various exciting new directions.
Released on July 19th through Cooking Vinyl, Make It Feel Like The Garden was conceived during the band’s North American tour in 2022, and grew from there. The trio – Vocalist/Guitarist Eliza Klatt, Bassist Ruby Lee, and Guitarist Kurt Skuse – stick with writing thoughtful songs that do not stray too far from their early material, but with this new album, allow themselves to expand upon that. Willing and open to experiment with sounds, in all, they create a collection of songs that are more ambient and filled with brighter subtle textures than ever before.
Truthfully a testament to their maturity as musicians, Make It Feel Like The Garden has the Pop textures needed to attract a broader audience, but also an intelligence within it that immediately impresses. For example, you have jangling tracks like “She Sits Up So High,” as well as the title-track, but deeper into it all there are also other outstanding pieces like “I Wanna Love You,” complete with some perfectly matched saxophone. This is while “Another You,” builds one layer of sound over another in a delightful manner, “Lately” takes you into a sea of emotion, and “Somebody” further pushes the envelope with brilliant usage of woodwinds.
Overall, Make It Feel Like The Garden is an experimental album that does not limit itself. It is easy to become complacent after any dosage of success, but Eliza & The Delusionals seem determined to grow. Having a lot to nurture such growth, they are not only creating some truly lovely music, but are a beacon of hope for the modern Alternative Rock scene. An album that ebbs and flows, relaxes and exhilarates, Make It Feel Like The Garden is a must listen. That is why Cryptic Rock gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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