EVER since Thelma Plum released her 2014 EP Monsters she's been promising to make a statement. It's finally arrived in her debut album Better In Blak. Emotional, and unapologetically honest, the Indigenous artist addresses racism, sexism and her broken heart.
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Plum possesses a beautifully honeyed voice, and at times it drips with bile and exasperation on the standout moments Don't Bring a Good Girl Down and Woke Blokes. Plum's voice is placed at the forefront of the mix, allowing the sparse indie-folk instrumentation to provide casual direction. The exception is the epic closing Made For You, which features contributions from Paul Kelly and Paul McCartney.
Better In Blak speaks to the present in a voice worth listening to.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
