EP Review: The Tullamarines’ debut ‘Ugly Cry’ is a zesty, refreshing and hyperactive collection of indie pop gems, with live dates ahead.

The Breakdown

Adelaide band The Tullamarines have released a collection of effervescent indie pop songs in the EP 'Ugly Cry' that positively hum with vitality, energy and more than a dash of creativity.

Independent – 8.5

Adelaide band The Tullamarines have released a collection of effervescent indie pop songs in the EP ‘Ugly Cry’ that positively hum with vitality, energy and more than a dash of creativity.

Lucinda Machin from the band says:

The Tullamarines is a band of overthinkers so all the songs on the EP have been created through a fair share of love, care, a touch of anxiety and affection. From Taller being the first ever song that was jammed together as a band, but was left on the back burner for over a year, to Head Roll Back which was written only weeks before it was recorded, they’ve all been born from nuggets of each of Josh, Angus, Benny and Cin that mesh into this EP. It’s the first EP child from the Tullamarines, so there have been some happy accidents, exciting moments, quiet moments, tired tears and a whole lot of love, and we can’t wait to see it in the world.

From the anthemic opening track ‘Never Do That’, The Tullamarines display a pop sensibility that is redolent of fellow antipodeans DMA’s with more of a youthful bright eyed slant. ‘I’m So’ has a fairground whirl to it that spins you round with a chanty, zesty force referencing the EP title with a strand of humour and swaggering attitude that is refreshing.

‘All I Had’ features Machin on vocals is a thumping fuzzy anthem with a wall of sound and wild synths and guitars that reverberates in the head. Angus Purvis says of the track ‘Head Roll Back’:

‘Head roll back’ is about falling in love and just how scary that can be. Falling for someone else is such a rare and wonderful thing. However, when you have been burnt before, the fear of losing that person that’s suddenly occupying your mind can be overwhelming. This song explores these fears, but ultimately focuses on how lovely it is to have someone in your life that can brighten your day just by thinking about them.”

The euphoric chorus and slamming guitars add to something quite cinematic and grand: a prefect pop song with a little barbed wire in the blood.

Final track ‘Taller’ – again with Machin at the helm – is a more grounded melancholy track, effectively showing the breadth of the band’s capability in songwriting.