THE AU REVIEW By June Murtagh - March 3, 2014 - 12:12pmAustralian singer/songwriter Dave Wells has burst into the music scene with his debut EP Carrington Street. The record is a delightful five-track collection of acoustic folk-rock tunes that are raw, authentic and original.The first few bars of the title track, "Carrington Street", gives the impression that this album is nothing out of the ordinary – perhaps a series of safe and mellow acoustic jams held together by a simple chord progression. However, as soon as Wells' vocals kick in, it's pretty clear to see that it's far from that. Strong, gutsy and powerful, Wells' voice gives his music an extra edge that takes the listener on a peaceful yet epic adventure into his stories of times and places not far from our own. His melodies are accompanied by ambient harmonies, taking his sound in a wistful and melancholy direction, while the electric guitar and drums balance it into something that is both sensitive and strong.The EP moves through a series of tracks which are consistent in their sound yet still provide enough variety to keep the listener curious as to what's around the corner. "The Caravel" is sure to impress with its strong beat and intricate guitar work, while "Silent Hum" presents a more relaxed and reflexive side to Wells' work. "In The City" picks up the pace of the album, before it concludes with "Broken Shadows", a track which stays true to its title through its haunting aesthetic and ghostly melody. Interwoven into each of these songs is Wells' beautifully constructed lyrics, which paint vivid pictures of scenery and circumstances, giving his work a sense of clarity.The album is perhaps a little predictable at times, though this predictability is almost always counteracted by the hypnotic harmonies and energising beats which manage to sneak their way in every now and again. It's these elements which really give Wells' music its character, setting it apart from the mass of folk-rock that's out there.Overall, Carrington Street is melodically wonderful, musically strong and lyrically fascinating. With its stunning harmonies and wandering vocals being the highlight of the album, it manages to evoke a homely atmosphere, giving it a very organic feel and making it incredibly comfortable to listen to.Review Score: 6.8 out of 10.Carrington Street is available now.