Operating as Zefereli, The Cairos’ former frontman Alistar Richardson has been helping fans to a steady stream of material from as far back as 2015. Now after two years constructing his own studio he’s finally come back around to recording. The result is sweeping debut album All Players Played Well.
The sprawling psych of leading single ‘Fake Happiness’ remains the record’s focal track. It’s been receiving some generous airplay from triple j and it’s not difficult to see why. Other standout moments include the phased-out melancholy of ‘I Know Her’ and the gentle propulsion of soft rockin’ instrumental ‘Blending In’. Closing it all off is the bittersweet reverberance of ‘The End’. This closer ushers the album toward its full-blown conclusion in a wash of floating texture and crashing guitar lines.
Zefereli has released a truly stunning debut album which could sit snugly alongside other neo psych masterstrokes like Dungen's 4 or Tame Impala's Lonerism. A combination of apocalyptic builds and quietened introspection, the diversity of Al’s lyric-driven sound makes this album something truly unique. All Players perfectly showcases the musical abilities of a formidable creative talent.
Zefereli has released a truly stunning debut album which could sit snugly alongside other neo psych masterstrokes like Dungen's 4 or Tame Impala's Lonerism. A combination of apocalyptic builds and quietened introspection, the diversity of Al’s lyric-driven sound makes this album something truly unique. All Players perfectly showcases the musical abilities of a formidable creative talent.
Words by Christian Kafritsas.