Lessons In Time

The brainchild of 19-year-old Australian Blake Wassell, Lessons In Time follows the recent trend of ramshackle, homespun recording projects by the likes of Bon Iver and Timber Timbre. Yet, Wassell's approach is much more light-hearted, relying on a variety of what sounds like toy instruments to complement his minimalist approach. The influence of Neutral Milk Hotel is also clearly evident in how Wassell interweaves all of these disparate elements into genuinely affecting songs such as "How Dare I" and "Marcus Aurelius Spoke To Me." It's heartening to hear ambitious young artists like Wassell taking this route rather than leaning on technology, and while Swords And Spears is a tentative first step, it's clear that Wassell is bubbling over with ideas that will serve him well in both the short and long term.