Track: Children of the State – Hot Money
Racing out of the starting bocks with a thumping glam stomp, the new single ‘Hot Money’ by Manchester-based Children of the State is a glorious blast of fresh air and attitude. There is a dark tone throughout the reverb-soaked track, highlighted by the heavy insistent thunder of the rhythm section and the themes of greed …
Track: Shiva and the Hazards – Revolution Son
Shiva and the Hazards garnered a lot of attention following their support slot with Ride across Australia recently – performances that were good enough to result in their new single ‘Revolution Son’ being produced and mixed by Ride front man Mark Gardener. It’s clear to see what the fuss is about – both live and …
Track: The Bats – Gone To Ground
As a final teaser before the release of their new album ‘Foothills’ on 13 November 2020 through Flying Nun Records, The Bats have released a final single with a video for the track ‘Gone To Ground’. And, in their usual fashion, it is the most delightful, gentle and immersive track: guitars jangle, harmonies flow like …
Premiere: Jo Meares – Reasons
It is with great delight we premiere the amazing new video for artist Jo Meares‘s spectacular new single ‘Reasons’. There is such a haunting quality to both the song and the perfectly matched video that seems to capture the cyclical nature of life – natural processes that are disturbing, intimidating yet so breathtakingly beautiful. Meares …
Album Review: Rough Church – Emergency Breakthrough
Rough Church‘s new release ‘Emergency Breakthrough’ is an album – and sound – that is really difficult to categorise. What is certain is it is a thoroughly enjoyable serving of unbridled, unhinged indie rock with a siding of humour and compassion. There is a wild Pixies element with an unhinged, explosive and unpredictable side (‘That’s …
Track: The Finalists release new single ‘Learn to Live Without You’ and announce news of album ‘First’
Sydney group The Finalists follow up their earlier single ‘Ignore All The Hate (On Your Telephone)’, premiered here on Backseat Mafia, with a bright jangly sixties-infused track ‘Learn to Live Without You’. And to add to the excitement, they have also announced the date for the release of their new album ‘First’ on 6 November …
Track: Telescreen – Moving On
Melburnian band Telescreen have just released a very vibrant and exciting new single ‘Moving On’, which is a sharp and melodic piece of intelligent pop dealing with real and tangible issues. A melodic, rhythmic spine is backed up with fuzzy walls of guitars and vocal layers that express anger and frustration about ineffective politicians. With …
Track: Majak Door – Will She Leave You
Melbourne’s Majak Door have released a fantastic jangling, jaunty tune ‘Will She Leave You’, which has chorus-soaked bubbling guitars lending an aquatic gurgle to the bright, sparkling tone. Very much in the vein of France’s Phoenix, this is effervescent pop with a melancholic sheen to its breezy veneer. It has a summer-perfect glow – matching …
Track: TANDM – Earthworm (2020 Remastered)
‘Earthwork (2020 Remastered)’ from Toronto duo TANDM (Thomas Franklin and Maxine Beck-Sinderby) is such a delightful pop song – catchy, bubbly and endearing, providing a panacea to our dark and troubled times. According to the band, This song is our response to the people who don’t believe music-making to be a professional career, or in …
Album Review: Dead Famous People – Harry
There is a simple and very expressive joy that threads its way through the new album by the enigmatic Dons Savage under the nom de plume of Dead Famous People. It has to be a genetic implant in New Zealanders – it can be found in the work of The Chills, The Clean and The …