Beddy Rays are back and the Meanjin/Brisbane four-piece have just announced their sophomore album, ‘Do What Ya Wanna’, set to drop in April 2025. Alongside the news, they’ve shared the lead single ‘Red Lights‘, complete with some prime spaghetti-o western cinematography.
If you’ve been keeping up with Beddy Rays for any amount of time, you’ll recognise the sound. ‘Red Lights’ nails that high-voltage, larrikin-punk vibe they’re known for. Lyrically, the track digs into themes of otherness, self-discovery, and giving yourself the space to figure things out. “It’s about overcoming adversity, going through tough times but remaining positive and growing from those moments”, the band explains. “Hoping it will resonate with those going through a tough time as it’s a reminder that things will always get better.”
The video, expertly directed, produced and edited by Natalie Sim, leans into the track’s jangly, indie-rock feel with a playful take on the Western genre. The band wanted to mix classic Sergio Leone-style shots with a touch of humour, and they nailed it. “Honestly, any excuse to whip out the Akubra works for us”. Completely relatable.
If the lead single is anything to go by, ‘Do What Ya Wanna’ is shaping up to be a natural evolution for Beddy Rays. Frontman Jacko puts it best: “This album is us – our highs, our lows, and everything in between. Writing it was a way to make sense of all the craziness life throws at you, but it’s also about not taking yourself too seriously and enjoying the ride. That’s what Beddy Rays is all about.”
Musically, they’re walking the line between early punk influences, think Green Day and Weezer, and the melodic hooks of modern indie rockers like Catfish and the Bottlemen. The result? An album any fan of Aussie surf-pub-rock can look forward to.
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