Salt Tree is a Western Australian indie-folk duo formed by Tom Boerema and Nathan Parsons in the coastal town of Margaret River, where the forest meets the sea. Their music blends warm acoustics, twin vocal harmonies, and stories rooted in nature, movement, and personal growth. With their latest EP, Adrift, released via Nettwerk Music Group on October 24, 2025, they turn their experiences on the road and in makeshift studios into six songs about being untethered, changing, and still moving forward.
Track by Track Review
Cold Hard Ground
The EP opens with a soft acoustic guitar and Tom’s voice in a reflective mood. The lyrics lean into moments of uncertainty and wanting to feel solid when everything feels shaky. The pace is steady, and the harmonies between Tom and Nathan bring comfort. It’s a strong start that sets the tone of drifting and searching.
Answers
Here, the rhythm picks up slightly and the melody becomes more hopeful. “Answers” sounds like someone turning over possibilities instead of settling for what they’re told. The production remains intimate, but the scope feels wider; there’s space in the instrumentation for the emotional journey to breathe.
Paradise
Recorded in Stockholm with Swedish producer Gustav Nyström, “Paradise” carries a lightness you feel right away. The acoustic picking is bright, the harmonies airy, and the lyrics explore the idea of starting fresh somewhere that feels like home. The duo’s vocals soar, and the mood edges toward uplift while still staying grounded in vulnerability.
Sugar
“Sugar” brings warmth and connection. The instrumentation is richer, the groove softer, and the message is about finding sweetness, whether in someone, somewhere, or a new version of self. The vocals feel relaxed and confident, the kind of track you listen to when you’re looking for comfort and clarity together.
Wherever You May Go
This track carries a subtle ache. Co-written with Western Australian songwriter Matt Gresham, the lyrics speak to distance, change, and the pull of home. The harmonies feel full of memory, the guitar lines gentle but persistent. It’s one of the more introspective cuts, reflecting on what remains when you’re away and what you carry with you.
Better Man
The closer brings resolution. “Better Man” is full of hope and reflection, looking back at mistakes, admitting growth, wanting to become more. The arrangement builds just enough to feel expansive but holds back, allowing the lyrics to stay in focus. It leaves you with a sense of movement rather than arrival, perfect for an EP about being in between.
Final Thoughts
Adrift is a beautifully crafted collection that captures the feeling of being unmoored in the best possible way, floating not aimlessly but with purpose, growth, and openness. Salt Tree balances warmth and melancholy, light and shadow, all while sounding natural and sincere. Whether you’re driving coastlines, walking alone by the sea, or simply reflecting at home, this EP meets you right where you are.
What did you think of the new Salt Tree EP? Stay tuned to MusicOnTheRox.com for all your music news and reviews.
