ALBUM REVIEW: The Dreggs – ‘Caught In A Reverie’

Words – Tracey Moyle Music Maven

Sunshine Coast indie folk treasures The Dreggs have been spreading their cool coastal harmonies and heartwarmingly good vibes to their ever-expanding fanbase since 2017. With the release of their debut album, ‘Caught In A Reverie,’ this week, there is no doubt this fan base will only keep expanding as the duo brings listeners an exciting new depth to their music.

This warm-hearted duo has a special way of making their followers feel like they are a part of one big music-loving family. The pair themselves seemingly embrace a brother-like friendship. Paddy Macrae and Zane Harris have been touring the country non-stop, filling the hearts of Australian music lovers with their acoustic guitars and kick drums since their careers kicked off in the wake of the pandemic. These guys have an enigmatic warmth that has been greatly needed over the past few years.

I first caught The Dreggs on the small locals’ stage at the Caloundra Music Festival in 2019, and I distinctly remember that feeling. From the first few notes, I knew some magic was happening on that small stage. I felt the urge to run around the Kings Beach setup and tell everyone they had to come and see this band. But I chose to stay put, falling in love with every song they performed. There was something else. The warmth and feeling these two young musicians projected into the gathering crowd made each of us feel like we were in a bubble where nothing else mattered except the music we were listening to.

Fast forward a few years, lots of new music and a few hundred live shows and finally, the duo has dropped their highly anticipated debut album, ‘Caught In A Reverie’. The Dreggs have chosen this debut to launch the next step in their ascending career and have done so with a soulful impact. In a recent interview with Good Call Live, Zane spoke about the importance of this album and the direction the band have taken moving forward.

“Because it was our first album, we wanted it to be a bit of an experiment. We wanted it to be like a mixed bag of favourite lollies, you know, like you don’t know what you’re getting. It’s going to still be us, but we just wanted to grow with our music.” – Zane Harris

With four tracks already released, this debut full-length promises more of that Dreggs magic. I have had the privilege of listening to the album and have been taking in the tracks slowly to savour this new fuller Dreggs sound. They have added a full band and have spent time writing and recording music alongside their idols working with Matt Corby and Alex Hendrickson. Their songs have managed to remain true to Paddy and Zane, but they have pulled from many musical influences to expand the heart of their songwriting into a broader offering.

So, let’s wander through these tracks and find out what fans are in for after the long wait for ‘Caught In A Reverie’.

The most recent single from the album, Peeps With The Goods, has more soul than any song I’ve heard in a very long while. Its gentle, almost gospel-like feel penetrates your senses, invoking a desire to close your eyes and just feel the music. Adding a full band has only given more emotional depth to this song. Anyone afraid of the evolution of The Dregg’s music will be at ease from the opening track.

‘Train Left The Station’ is quintessential Dreggs, with Paddy’s emotive voice bringing us back to that gentle sound the duo are loved for. The piano is a beautiful accompaniment to this track. A story of saying goodbye to love, this track will resonate with many listeners. Macrae’s vocals take on all the emotions of good lyrical storytelling, peaking at the right times.

Recent single Places brings that upbeat sing-along feeling that epitomises The Dreggs live. There is great balance throughout this album. The heart-centred acoustic tracks made for the live audience participation and the duo’s desire to add in the band to show the world what they are capable of have been considered and achieved with a steady flow of songs that are familiar yet excitingly new.

The addition of the band shines through on Look To The Stars with Macrae’s smooth vocals gently supported by beautiful harmonies from Harris and possibly others. Zane’s and Paddy’s melodic acoustics only complimented, not over-shadowed by the additional musicians.

The Dreggs have always been key storytellers. Their musical tales hit you right in the feels because they are personal and straight from the heart. I’m A Little Older has that old school musical storyteller vibe: think Billy Joel, Harry Chapin. Harmonica falls into place like a third vocal, Macrae telling this story of the importance of family, his close relationship with his mum, never a secret. The boys have always captured an amazing sense of vulnerability in their lyrics, which is why their music has touched so many, so deeply, all over the country and now overseas.

For Your Love was the first single to drop and is possibly the most Dreggs-like song on this album. Upbeat, danceable, guitar, banjo, everything you would want from these folk artists as a fan. I can already hear the massive choir at the upcoming gigs singing at the top of their lungs “For Your Love”. Zane’s harmonies and strength in his rhythm entangled with Paddy’s banjo, bringing out an undeniably effervescent jig.

A slow, smooth song could just be a slow, smooth song, but with Paddy having the aptitude in vocals to give a song the choice of emotional direction; sadness or serenity, and Zane’s gift of rhythm and timing, is a part of the formula that makes this band so special to so many. These next two tracks are the perfect example. Sad Old Song has a sombre candour, with an almost vocal whisper at times, capturing the sentiment of the title of the song. The vulnerability in this track speaks volumes. I feel it touches on deep-seated sadness that almost becomes accepted as a part of life. The secret to the duo’s success is their ability to put their own experiences, good, bad or indifferent, into words and music, and mental health issues are something Zane and Paddy are not afraid to talk about openly. Come So Far holds that gentle pace with an additional female vocal accompaniment (I’m unsure who at this stage). But here you have serenity and positivity pouring out from this smooth, wistful track, validating the fact that The Dreggs have that innate ability to create music you don’t just hear, you feel.

Sweet and upbeat, Berlin again showcases Macrae’s musical raconteur gifts, much like I’m A Little Older. However, She Picks Flowers takes us down a whole new avenue with a nod toward country influences. The track is warm and full of love, “Will you be my heart of gold, cause you remind me of a warm safe place with blacked out windows and a fireplace”. The ‘band’ makes this track what it is, supporting the duo to do what they do best. Sing and play.

All My Friends brings us back to the jig that we all love at a Dreggs live show. There are so many layers to this song. The optimistic burst this song sends out has a deeper lyrical story, touching again on mental health.

Take A Little Time is one of my favourite tracks for so many reasons. Classic Dreggs sound with Matt Corby’s influence on Macrae’s vocals pouring out of the track. It’s perfectly structured for their live shows. Musically it’s uplifting, lyrically it’s inspiring. “I’ll do it my own way” is something The Dreggs have always done, leading them to where they are today; making music on their own terms, in their own way, with those so very important ingredients of vulnerability, relatability and immense love of what they do, mixed with songs that just make you want to dance and sing ‘til your heart bursts.

‘Caught In A Reverie’ may have taken a few years to reach our playlists or turntables, but it was well and truly worth the wait.

‘Caught In A Reverie’ is out on all streaming platforms now.

Thanks to On The Map PR