“… a shimmering blend of urgency and reflection, wrapped in bright guitars and driving rhythms. It’s the kind of track that feels like flipping through old Polaroids while speeding down an open road, nostalgic, restless, and undeniably alive.” Buzzy Band - Everything is Temporary
"Brisbane’s and arguably Australia’s finest jangly power-pop act, The Valery Trails are back with a glorious first single" Janglepophub - Everything is Temporary
“A soaring jangly slice of power pop heaven that sets the heart beating with its euphoric delivery... the welcomed return of their indelible melodies and harmonies.” Backseat Mafia - Everything is Temporary single premiere
|
"This is pop. In many ways, very pop: tunes, tunes and tunes, they got ‘em. It’s just that the Bower brothers – guitar-playing singer, Andrew, and bass-playing Sean – with drummer Dan McNaulty, come at pop music with a sense of overdrive. That means they place melody within a solid body of sound that can tip its hat to noise without actually going there, that can muscle up without coming on like heavies, and can let the vocals sit back a bit in the mix without wholly obscuring attractiveness." - Bernard Zuel - The Sky Is Blue album review
"If you’re a regular reader of this column, you won’t be remotely surprised that I’ve got a lot of affection for Brisbane rockers the Valery Trails. The three men in the group are musical lifers that, even as they are (I’m assuming from the band photos) pushing 50, have to get their frazzled garage pop out into the world at all costs. They release their music without the help of a label and do short tours around Australia — all for the love of the game. This chosen path would be Sisyphyean for any other group, but the Trails have the talent to back it up. Their new album finds that carefully carved out niche where the jangle of their fellow Aussies the Go-Betweens is married to the loud psychedelicized attack of a great late ’80s power trio. There’s passion and purpose in these songs that should be celebrated and analyzed by younger musicians. Do your homework, kids, and give this a spin." - Robert Ham - Paste Magazine - New & Notable Vinyl Releases
"The Valery Trails are wonderfully inventive, but not stuck in any one place ,,, The Sky Is Blue is a top notch listen, a real example of how Pop and the Guitar can take you into so many joyful areas." - I Don't Hear a Single - The Sky Is Blue album review
"... effortless jangled riffs that augment the omnipresent melodic intent, this is the big anthemic sound that just will not leave your head." - Janglepophub - The Sky Is Blue album review
‘The Sky Is Blue’ is a beautiful collection of acutely personal reflections delivered with an optimistic grace and stature, empowered by an inherent power and muscularity. It is the sum of many precious parts, reflecting an international perspective gained from travels, but grounded in something very antipodean and raw. - Backseat Mafia - The Sky Is Blue album review
"Expansive multi-layered vocals create a heavenly chorus that is redolent of Teenage Fanclub in a tryst with The Byrds, while the wall of jingle jangle guitars create a shimmering foundation that recalls The Go-Betweens and REM. But The Valery Trails only tip a hat to these influences: they have carved out something of their own: an antipodean-flavoured bubbling effervescence that is captivating." - Backseat Mafia - Zancudo video premiere
"Brisbane based trio, The Valery Trails, always seem to find the perfect blend of the best of 80s power-pop and jangly riffs. This is another perfect slice of the type of 2 minute pop perfection that they are synonymous with!" - Janglepophub - Jasalmer single review