Album Review: Space For You

A mother-daughter duo originally from Dunedin, SideSister has released their second studio album Space For You. Leigh, who now lives in Whanganui, has been producing music since the 1970’s this is reflected in the professional retro sound which this album brings. Leigh’s daughter Aelyth is a music therapist based in Wellington. Together they have created an original 10 track album with a timeless folk/pop quality.

This album started life at a writing retreat in April 2024, followed by 18 months of recording while living in different cities. The delivery is wonderfully retro, whilst the lyrics are clearly defined and heartfelt, the vocalisation from Aelyth has the unique kiwiness of early Flying Nun Records. “The album looks at the world as it is and considers ways, we can make it into the world we’d like to live in”.

The first track on Space For You is called Seventeen Carrots, it’s a song many of us could resonate with “modern life has little room for the undisciplined”. The retro sound which weaves its way through each track on this album starts here, with it bringing the warm fuzzies of nostalgia. This is one of my standout songs, the ease with which I could hear and understand the story was refreshing, even though for a split second I thought I was listening to a kid’s song about eating carrots the confusing moment soon passed.

There may have been a little movement of body parts some may loosely describe as dancing. Love it.

Waiting in the wings is the synth which is introduced into the mix on The Future Is Waiting, nicely complementing an electric piano. This track is a reminder that “we don’t know what each day will bring”

Vertical Dead has a smooth jazzy sound, which was another standout for me. The story behind this song may seem a tad bleak, but its brutally honest and hey, there is synthesized brass in there. What’s not to like?

As I made my way through this album one thing was abundantly clear, the lyrics which are expressive, meaningful and straightforward are also utterly charming.

Let’s Get Angry, pretty much sums up the world right now. The indignant tone of this song conveys the duo’s conviction very well in a harmonious and catchy way.

Track six is another song championing the merits of routine, “we’re not stuck in a dopamine rut” they said, “we’re just highly motivated”. There is something to be said about the Satisfactions of the Ordered Life.

Space For You is the title track which has also been released as the third single from this album. Aelyth harmoniously delivering on this candid track which asks the question “when do you ever stop to think and when does the clamour fade away?” As with the other songs, this has a refreshing sincerity accompanied by skillfully mixed instrumentals.

The final three tracks; Step By Step, Shop Shut and Flying Car are just as endearing and thoughtfully composed as the rest of the album. Incorporating woodwind into their arrangements, leans into SideSister’s nostalgic folk sound.

I really enjoyed Space For You; it resonated with me lyrically and musically. Well worth taking the time to listen.