Sister See - Where The Vines Are

Sister See

​Where The Vines Are
self-released; 2019

4.0 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

Alex Whybrow (guitar/vocals) and Ryan Twyman (guitar/vocals) are Sister See. They recently released Where The Vines Are which is a four-song EP.

Their music is often somber and reflective not unlike that of Bon Iver, Bright Eyes or City and Colour. It’s somewhere in that headspace at least. This type of music is hard to pull off mostly due to the fact that one or two wrong moves on a somber song can make it feel saccharine, melodramatic or at it’s worse just flat out egotistical woe is me type fashion. The duo avoid all these traps and instead pull off heartfelt songs that are simultaneously tender and relatable.

Some of the reasons why this EP works so well is the production and recording quality. It’s one of the best DIY recordings I have heard in recent memory. They capture the intimacy and nuance of these performances which is vital. The songs come through your ears and right to your heart.

They get going with “Something Out In The Dark” and we are initially greeted with acoustic guitar and vocals. It sounds great but I was happy when the song unfolded with more instrumentation and distant vocal harmonies. The sound is full and robust brimming with passionate patterns of energy. There are even drums which are used very sparingly but effectively.

Up next is “Salt” which is a little more melancholy, warm and pensive. The song goes from sparse to completely atmospheric and surrounding. I think “The Wolves” was the highlight or at least my personal favorite. I think it was the vocal melody that had me as well as the more hopeful energy this song brings to the table. The closer “Where The Vines Are” is excellent as well. The very subtle arpeggiated synth is a lot more powerful than its volume would indicate.

​This is a beautifully crafted EP with crisp songwriting and emotionally resonant performances. Need I say more.

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