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Frontman Caleb Harper's relocation to Los Angeles marked a pivotal moment in the band's creative process. Collaborating with producer Mike Crossey (known for his work with The 1975 and Arctic Monkeys) and songwriters Jackson "Day Wave" Phillips and Sarah Aarons, the band crafted an album that delves deep into themes of love, trauma, and personal growth. Harper described the collaborative process as initially “intimidating,” but ultimately “liberating to have that conflict of ideas”.
Reflecting on the album's essence, the band shared: "This album isn’t trying to be anything in particular. Sometimes it is sure of itself and other times it whispers uncertainty. It feels like a contradiction of forgiveness and anger, love and breakdown and that’s what I was trying to reconcile in the title”.
‘If That Makes Sense’ showcases assertive, jangly guitar work that reflects a newfound confidence in both its composition and sound design. Tracks like ‘Through My Teeth’ keep a lively, driving rhythm throughout, with radiant synths entering at the chorus to heighten the emotion without overshadowing it. The album opens with ‘Intro’, a brief ambient track that gently ushers listeners into a world of emotional nuance and sonic shimmer. That vulnerability blooms in tracks like ‘All the Noise’, where Harper contemplates his parents’ relationship, pairing raw lyrics with dynamic guitar riffs and crisp percussion. “It’s angry, but not at someone, and it’s sad because I can’t quite get to the bottom of what or who made me,” he shared.
Similarly, ‘How to Kill Houseplants’ uses the metaphor of neglected flora to explore the erosion of a relationship. Its luscious guitar lines and airy harmonies feel both intimate and expansive, a hallmark of the album’s emotional richness. Tracks like ‘The More That It Hurts’ channel urgency with chugging baselines and soaring refrains, while mid-tempo moments allow Harper’s introspection to shine.
Three months spent in the recording studio have resulted in a record that’s as immaculately produced as it is emotionally resonant. Mike Crossey’s glossy finish adds a layer of sophistication; reverb-laced choruses, twinkling guitars, and layered harmonies all glimmer without ever feeling overworked. Lyrically, ‘If That Makes Sense’ marks a return to the inward-looking storytelling of their debut, ‘Sunlight’, contrasting with the outward gaze of 2022’s ‘Here Comes Everybody’. Harper’s co-writing with external voices brings fresh melodic instincts and unexpected phrasing, expanding the album’s emotional and sonic vocabulary.
In support of the album, Spacey Jane has announced an extensive tour across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. The Australian leg includes seven sold-out nights at Freo Social in Fremantle, setting a venue record for the longest stint of shows. From September to November, they will play across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, marking their first worldwide tour.
If That Makes Sense is a testament to Spacey Jane’s artistic maturation, an album that balances glossy production with raw emotion and rewards patient, attentive listening. With its chiming guitars, hummable melodies, and lyrical vulnerability, it's a dazzling document of a band growing into themselves.
Amy King
@amyjayneking
Image: Cole Barash
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