Albums: If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, The Paper Kites

If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, The Paper Kites

Tracks: Morning Gum; Change Of The Wind; When The Lavender Blooms; Stormwall; A Word I Needed More; Shake Off The Rain; Every Town; Strongly In Your Arms; Deep (In The Plans We Made); Borne By You

Label: Nettwerk


If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, the seventh studio album from The Paper Kites, is reflective, cohesive and deeply introspective — three qualities that make for a strong record and one of their best to date. Compared to past releases such as At The Roadhouse, this album is noticeably more subdued, leaning into the band’s acoustic-driven roots and often recalling the intimacy of their breakout track Bloom.

Much of the album was written at a friend’s farm in the Yarra Valley, and that setting quietly shapes the sound throughout. There is a sense of space and stillness in the music, as though it were written with the doors open and the landscape in view. Even the album title carries that feeling. Co-founder Christina Lacy first wrote the phrase on a fogged-up bus window, a fleeting moment that grew into something more meaningful — a reflection on distance, devotion and the hope that the people you love find what they are looking for, even if you cannot follow them there.

Sonically, the band kept things simple, recording live in the room with minimal overdubs. The result is an album that feels natural and unforced. The majority of the record is led by acoustic guitar, which suits its gentle, unhurried tone perfectly. Tracks such as Stormwall, A Word I Needed More and Deep In The Plans We Made showcase the guitar melodies at their most effective, carrying emotion without ever feeling heavy-handed.

Strings appear throughout the album as well, notably on Morning Gum and Borne By You, adding depth and warmth. Many of the songs feel transportive, drawing the listener into a calm, reflective headspace. Opening track Morning Gum sets that mood beautifully, slowly building with acoustic guitar, banjo and subtle string arrangements that drift in without disrupting the stillness.

While there are fewer higher-tempo moments than on previous records, the album never feels flat. Closing track Borne By You brings everything together with a strong instrumental build, particularly from the drums, which rise naturally into the final chorus. Drums also play a leading role on Strongly In Your Arms and Shake Off the Rain, adding variation while maintaining the album’s overall cohesion. Songs placed next to each other on the tracklist, such as Stormwall and A Word I Needed More, flow seamlessly into one another, making this an album that rewards a front-to-back listen.

Harmonies are another quiet highlight. Used sparingly and with purpose, they add emotional weight throughout the record. Deep In The Plans We Made is especially striking, with its minimal instrumentation allowing the layered vocals to take centre stage. On Every Town, themes of longing are heightened by heartfelt harmonies in the chorus, giving the song its emotional pull.

Lyrically, the album explores love, distance and the way certain connections linger, regardless of time passed or fresh starts taken. Sam Bentley’s vocals convey these emotions with clarity and restraint, supported throughout by the rich backing vocals of Christina Lacy and David Powys.

With over two billion global streams, The Paper Kites have already cemented their place as one of Australia’s most quietly influential bands. If You Go There, I Hope You Find It is a reminder of why they resonate so deeply — a thoughtful, warm and carefully crafted album that lingers long after it ends.