Indie Folk Pop Sister Duo The Rayes Return With New Video Single ‘Thoughts’

From busking as teenagers in the streets of Seattle to building up to the release of their upcoming second full-length album, Limb Pulled Taut, sisters Rebecca and Jordan Stobbe aka The Rayes have come a long way as a duo.

The now Melbourne-based siblings introduced the forthcoming record with their lead single, “Thoughts,” which dropped July 12th, accompanied by a music video directed by Guy Perkins. And like a fun little Easter egg, they reference their upcoming album in the first verse: “Thoughts / They stick in my head like a limb pulled taut / Not when I’m moving, when I’m still, like I ought to be.” The song, as well as the music video, emulates a warm vintage 70s or 80s vibe, contrasting the weightier sentiments that accompany the vision. 

The nostalgic Wes Anderson-like video depicts playful repetitive visuals of the sisters in a seemingly askew day to day routine, equip with one of the sisters donned as mustached gentleman in select scenes. Mimes, pastries, bicycles, and dogs make their way into the creative DIY video. The chorus that sings “You’re not the only one who feels the shake of the world,” emphasizes the overarching feeling that we’re all in this together, and we all deal with life’s challenges.

Like much of their other songs, “Thoughts” carries the breeziness of a butterfly that opens itself up with pure vulnerability, wrapped up in an indie folk-pop cocoon of magical synths and gliding bass lines that carry the song forward, coupled with their ranging voices. The sisters have always strived for a sort of realness in their music, which is evident when watching and listening. This includes endeavors like a road trip podcast, writing an EP on the go (which they did for their recent project, Two Legs) or performing meaningful covers on their Youtube channel.

Their upcoming record, Limb Pulled Taut, displays a collection of songs spanning time and emotion, and “Thoughts” is the first delightful appetizer of what’s to come. The album was made in Melbourne by producer Robert Muinos (Julia Jacklin, Didirri, Nat Vazer), and primarily recorded live in the studio.

The Rayes second single from the album, “Before You Go,” is slated to release this Friday August 2nd.