Album Review: Chloe Violette – Colourfast

Colourfast may be the debut album from Australian singer-songwriter Chloe Violette, but it is so complete, so perfectly formed, it sounds like a folk classic in the making.

That ‘classic’ tag becomes more realisable once you hear Chloe Violette’s vocals as soon as they emerge from the chilled textures of aptly titled album opener, Beginnings. As the birdsong fades and she becomes the focus of the track, she effuses an easy familiarity. You might not have heard the song before, but you’ll believe it’s been a part of your life, sun-filled and sublime; you can almost feel the summer breeze on your face.

The album isn’t fully defined by folk – there is certainly a noticeable presence for indie rock at times, and the influence of the 60s/70s American counter-cultural rock scene is palpable on Beginnings and Still, for example.

As beautifully arranged as they are, a sensitively drawn fusion of Celtic folk and Americana full of longing, for me, Colourfast has the greatest impact when it is at its quietest – at least in terms of arrangement.

When it’s near enough Violette herself, accompanied by an acoustic guitar, as on the gospel-tinged When You’re Well, songs seem to transform into personal conversations. I felt detached from the world, locked in to the lyrics and melody – yeah, we’re heading in the right direction here. Gin, with its Irish lilt, is confessional and cathartic, inviting you in as if an old friend.

It’s Violette herself who defines the album: her turns of phrase and the eerie stillness of her voice are reminiscent of Buffy Sainte-Marie, Joni Mitchell, and Judee Sill. Her songwriting, which shares similarities with Carole King, digs into the earthiness of love and relationships in their mundane and magical ways, threading the album together. This House exemplifies that, with its seemingly ordinary talk of lampshades and peeling paint carrying an emotional import that is unexpected and rather moving.

That personal touch, of maybe hearing the inner voice of the artist or yourself, is especially strong on songs like Skin, Road to Recovery, and Brave Face, as they detail mental health, finding peace within yourself, and finding your place in the world.

This is a wonderfully meditative experience, one that can be a wonderful partner in times of chosen solitude. But if you share it with a special person, then it will become even more magical.

Colourfast is streaming on Spotify, YouTube, and also Bandcamp, where it is also available to download. Chloe Violette has an official launch party for the album in Melbourne on the 28th of this month. For news on that, head to her Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok socials.