Sip of Milk – Paper Over The Cracks (2022)
Described as a brand of “tadrock” (tad being the Welsh term for dad), duo Sip of Milk is bridging classic and contemporary genres with a Welsh edge. After meeting as teenagers in local bands, Nathan Corbett (vocals, guitar and keys) and Lewis Howells (bass and guitar) embraced their passion for music and began writing unique melodies for the 2000s. Inspired by jazz, post-punk and synth-pop, the idiosyncratic sound engulfs listeners in its obscurity – but in a good way.
The saying goes that all the Welsh can sing and sing well. I mean, with the likes of Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Manic Street Preachers and Charlotte Church, who could deny their claim to musical genius? Sip of Milk is more evidence of the natural talent with their debut single ‘Paper Over The Cracks’.
Combining elements of rock and roll, funk and pop-rock, Sip of Milk bring a nostalgic toe-tapping sound to the masses. The melodic arrangement of guitars, drums and Corbett’s rich vocals are not only toe-tapping but also smile-inducing. Slithering into your ear, rocking about your cranium and shooting down your spine, ‘Paper Over The Cracks’ is quite unforgettable. Yet, it is not only the melody highlighting the lads’ depth and innovation. In their intimate lyrics, they connect with audiences in a relatable one.
While there might be a vulnerability in Corbett’s vocals should they sing a song about human fragility, ‘Paper Over The Cracks’ slides smooth tones over a groovy arrangement. Touching on hopefulness and empowerment, this track is an optimistic one bringing positivity to our lives. Sip of Milk explains that ‘Paper Over The Cracks’ is a sonic expression of a simple life lesson: “…take each day at a time and a lot of things become a lot more manageable.” I suppose the paper over the cracks is really just a laidback piece of advice, and one we should all listen to.
For more from Sip of Milk check out their Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
