REVIEW: Spacey Jane - If That Makes Sense

Spacey Jane have long held Australia’s attention since their dreamy breakout album Sunlight. Formed in Perth, Western Australia in 2016 and following the release of their vulnerable sophomore album, Here Comes Everybody, the indie-rock quartet has made significant waves on the international stage. As one of the many twenty-something Aussies navigating a quarter-life crisis in London, I’ve certainly noticed the increasing popularity and unique energy that Australian artists bring to the global music scene across varying genres. From the popularity of Ocean Alley and Dom Dolla, to the indie giants Tame Impala and the recent rise of Royel Otis, and even the return of nostalgic acts like Empire of the Sun, one thing is certain - we do not miss! The common thread tying these artists together? Their deep gut-punching and nostalgic tracks that force you to question with mild discomfort: Who am I? Where am I? And how did I get here?

This kaleidoscope of questions and decisions, spanning the past, present and future, leave many of us trying to make sense of ourselves, our choices and the people who have made us who we are. A kaleidoscope that feels hard to express on a good day. A kaleidoscope that can make us dizzy in its beauty. If That Makes Sense cleverly weaves these thoughts through the personal and lyrical genius of lead, Caleb Harper, helping us bring our own vulnerability to the table. To put it simply: this album is like ointment—it seeps deep and slowly into the skin, then muscles, and forces you to knead out the knots. It’s pleasurable and painful all at once, much like album themes of falling in and out of love, overcoming trauma and moving forward. The new synth-inspired sound creates layers of meaning in each track by utilising a wider range of instrumental elements than their previous albums. Ultimately, it is this new melting pot of sounds which forces us to seek someone to hold us, trust us, and guide us through this dizzying kaleidoscope rather than avoiding it… if that makes sense.

So, the details of the tracks themselves? Described as their “most ambitious record to date”, fans of the band’s pre-2020 tracks - and even their most recent releases - may feel like they’re being plunged into unknown waters without a floatation device. This initial feeling of discomfort, like looking through a kaleidoscope, or the dream-like effect of light reflecting on water, should not be feared. Die-hard fans should have faith in Mike Crossey’s production, which rings similar to The 1975 but ultimately does not distract from Spacey Jane’s distinct and authentic sound.

The album breaks the unsure surface with an unskippable instrumental intro that melts like butter into the first track, 'Through My Teeth'. The vibe of this track provides the album’s cornerstone, with the band reflecting it is “like a contradiction of forgiveness and anger, love and breakdown”. Whilst the song is ultimately upbeat, whimsical and somehow hopeful, the lyrics echo with loneliness and defeat.

Self-described by Harper as “[not] trying to be anything in particular”, the following tracks oscillate between confident rage and “whispers of uncertainty”. Plunging the listener straight into a more sombre mood, the third track on the record, 'Whateverrrr', opens with a deep and distorted sound. It encapsulates the relentless nature of waking up with intense dread due to an uncontrollable situation, but ultimately resigning ourselves to the passage of time and ‘getting on with it’. The tiring feeling of this song effectively conveys the agony of mourning the normalcy and healthy reality that could have been.

Thereafter, the dramatic and therapeutic singles 'All the Noise' and 'How to Kill Houseplants' are interrupted by what will be an adored crowd sing-along 'Impossible to Say', which all continue to ride the wave of varying emotions through deeply personal lyrics that feel far too familiar. Particularly relatable is Harper’s metaphor of understanding that “love is a garden” needing to be watered yet lamenting that “it hasn't rained and it's starting to show”. This exploration of what we need to do for love to be equally fulfilling, and the tension between that ideal and our ability to achieve it, ignites a conversation that is both vulnerable and valuable for us all.

This reaches a devastating, guitar-heavy peak forming the summit of the album in track seven, 'I Can’t Afford to Lose You'. For the writer, this track feels like the screeching release we stumble on after bouts of chaos, disappointments and set-backs, particularly in a romantic partnership. It is not dissimilar to trekking to the top of a gruelling mountain, hitting each checkpoint on time, only to be met with a view clouded by fog. For my current relation to the themes of this song, it has undoubtedly become my favourite from the album. But then 'So Much Taller' provides a fast-paced reprieve, referring to the well known “black dog” but juxtaposing this with a tune that makes you (maybe just me) want to dance ridiculously in front of someone, despite the doubtful and self-hating mantras repeated in the song.

Tracks nine, ten and eleven pull the listener back together with a tired thread of infatuation, slow burning, waiting, wondering and worry, before track twelve, 'Ily the Most', completes this segment with a melancholy and romantic piano melody reminiscent of UK duo Oh Wonder. The lyrics, “If you ever left I couldn’t bury your ghost,” haunt the listener like the shifting patterns in a kaleidoscope, with the recurring themes of mourning, loving, and the lasting imprint of human connection constantly reconfiguring and offering new emotional perspectives.

Sounding like a hopeful yet unsure resolution, the final track 'August' circles the listener back to the dreamy sounds of the intro and opening track, providing the reassurance that life really is a cycle of highs and lows. There is undeniable beauty in that, and it is what Spacey Jane does so well - capturing the human experience - as they leave the listener with Peppa Lane’s hypnotic backing vocals singing the title of the album itself.

Ultimately, as Harper states, If That Makes Sense is “hard to give a theme other than an overwhelming sense of confusion and a less than successful attempt to tie up emotional loose ends”. It uncomfortably - but beautifully - reminds us of the constants that we all draw from in our human experience, in familial and other forms of love. It is our deeply personal connections to other humans which help us make sense of ourselves. Perhaps the beauty, however, is accepting that making sense of it is inherently messy and inconclusive - and that’s okay.

Score: 9/10

If That Makes Sense will be released on May 9th 2025 via Concord.

Words: Victoria Stobbie

Photos: Spacey Jane