Compared with the likes of Kate Bush, Billie Eilish and Imogen Heap, Creature & Machine is a growing presence in the world of alternative pop.
By Graeme Smith
The solo project of singer, poet, producer and multi-instrumentalist Lilly Neubauer, Creature & Machine is gracing our pages for the first time.
A Delicate Power is her second EP release of the year, following Mind Games which received a warm reception from fans and critics. It’s a highly personal EP, taking on themes of female power, coming to terms with anger, and becoming ones own friend.
The EP opens with The Thing Itself and we are instantly struck by the uniqueness of Lilly’s sound. An introspective number, it turns its attention to the music itself, fully exploring the journey of creating it right up to the listeners role in appreciating it. The feeling of it all is beautifully brought to life through some striking instrumentals, ambient atmosphere and expressive vocals.
OneTwoThree is a funky highlight. Chanting vocals in the verse demand that you move along while its lyrics celebrate femineity around the world. Pleasing percussive layers build the arrangement until things arrive at a memorable alternative pop climax.
Karma takes things in a darker direction, delivering a stinging rebuke. Night Time opens moody before growing with haunting vocal layers. According To Me closes the EP with a self-affirming moment. Delicate keys set the early atmosphere while Lilly’s lyrics will have a hold of your heart.
With her new EP, Lilly is showing us what a unique and exciting project Creature & Machine is. The raw honesty of her lyrics paired with the experimentation of her instrumental arrangements is an intoxicating mix. Her new collection is a breath of fresh air in an often stale music industry. I’m so glad to have discovered it for this blog.
A Delicate Power was recorded in Lilly’s home studio where she also did the producing, mixing and mastering (except OneTwoThree which was mastered by Gianluca Pulvirenti). She plays all the instruments with the exception of Night Time which features guitar from David Goodenough. The EP is out now and you can check it out below.
