'Watch Out For The Horse Behind You' by Lisathe

It's probably still too soon in the year to talk about what an exceptional 2025 La Sape Records are having.  With Standing Circle's release on the imminent horizon, the progressive and imaginative Melbourne-based label have bestowed sensational projects on listeners in the last twelve months including single releases from Iwuda and David Versace as well as the synth-heavy 'Action Reaction' by Horatio Luna and the sublime GODTET alongside The Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the full-length collaboration.

Now championing the sophomore album release from Lasathe, 'Watch Out For The Horse Behind You' continues the instrumental trio's penchant for musical soundscapes that have become their signature make-up.

Comprised of a powerhouse trio of Sydney-based artists, the Lisathe three feature guitarist Ollie Thorpe (Ray Beadle, The Whitlams Black Stump, Peter Garrett), bassist Brendan Clark (Hayley Mary, Aaron Blakey, John Harkins Trio) and drummer Miles Thomas (Lisa Caruso, Freyja Garbett, We Will Intersect).

There's something about the scope that Lisathe aim for that is particularly captivating about their music.  Not scope as in expansive multi-person ensembles - although their ability to interweave an exquisite tapestry of intricate sound is an absolute pleasure to hear unfold across a full album - but it's scope as in landscape.  While it's not uncommon for jazz acts to use their music as a way of conveying intriguing narrative aspects into their compositions, for Lisathe, the joy of music isn't in the stories they're able to tell but within the imagery they're able to conjure for listeners.

Initially offering up their formal introductions courtesy of the band's self-titled debut in 2019, Lisathe sought inspiration from the works of Icelandic composers including Björk, Jófríður Ákadóttir and Skúli Sverrisson presenting a series of inspired reimaginings.

Seven years later, however, Lisathe trade the stark and austere beauty of Iceland for the sun-drenched familiarity of their Australian homeland.  And in that regard, 'Watch Out For The Horse Behind You' serves as an affectionate and loving homage to the country's vast natural splendour.  Guitarist Ollie Thorpe's affections for blues-tinged Americana translates beautifully through the understated twang of 'Scam Daddy' and 'Hood' or the more transcendent numbers like 'Dream' and 'Light Lowers'.  'Hay' may very well deliver as the album's centrepiece however as it's a track that teams with elegant vibrancy and showcases the trio on outstanding form.

Rather than present a literal portrait of Australia, Lisathe instead capture the feeling of it.  Displaying a confidence and poise throughout the album, 'Watch Out For The Horse Behind You' revels in the tiny detail - the subtle shifts of textures from one song to the next, the immersive quality of the project and its ability to resonate as a project that is as evocative as it is deeply personal.