backseat downunder
See: Dominic Breen releases evocative video for the glorious track ‘James Street Tonight’ plus announces live shows
Dominic Breens‘s track ‘James Street Tonight’, released at the beginning of March, was lauded by us for its chiming guitars and melancholia, lifted skywards by Breen’s gorgeous vocals. The song continues to haunt: a beautiful and enigmatic release that is growing in stature through time. Breen has also just announced a series of live gigs …
Album Review: In ‘Today We’re The Greatest’, Sydney’s Middle Kids explore angst and redemption draped in a sparkling, glittering cloak.
There is a beautiful tension the work of Sydney trio Middle Kids. Songs that detail childhood trauma, wayward ways and personal angst are delivered in the most shining and sparkling coat of many colours. Even at their darkest, though, the lyrics can exhibit a wry sense of humour; a sense of resignation and acceptance and …
Track: All India Radio unveils the mesmerising single ‘Deep Blue (ft Sasquin)’ and announces new album ‘Afterworld’
All India Radio‘s Martin Kennedy is the musical genius behind the magnificent Kilbey/Kennedy album ‘Jupiter 13’ reviewed by me last month. Already a strong contender for album of the year from me. While responsible for the shimmering instrumentation behind Steve Kilbey’s evocative vocals in this release, Kennedy’s main day job is in All India Radio …
EP: Lastlings release evocative and dreamy ‘Live Acoustic’ EP
Japanese/Australian brother/sister duo Lastlings have released an absolutely mesmerising live EP, lifting four songs from their ‘First Contact’ album released last year and recording them live. Accompanying videos of the enchanting performances add an indelible lustre. The performance is enthralling – gorgeous reflective and melancholic vocals, keys, crisp acoustic guitars and exquisite melodies. The band …
Track: Red Sleeping Beauty unveils the electronic thumper ‘Second Time’ featuring the angelic vocals of Mary Wyer of indie legends Even As We Speak
Swedish trio Red Sleeping Beauty have teamed up with Australian Mary Wyer of indie legends Even As We Speak to create the smashing dance track ‘Second Time’. This track is a perfect marriage of Wyer’s gorgeous velvety vocals filled with an air of wistful melancholy floating above an effervescent, arpeggiated electronic beat with a vibrant …
Track: Cedarsmoke deliver a chiming elegy to life in their yearning track ‘Being Young Is Getting Old’
Australian band Cedarsmoke have delivered an imposing and heartfelt single in ‘Being Young Is Getting Old’, a sobering and vivid elegy for the world in which our youth are growing up in. Frontman Jon Cloumassis, whose whiskey-soaked gravelly vocals sets a yearning and poignant tone, says: The song is about the downside of youth and …
EP: The Great Emu War Casualties release the dynamic and shimmering indie pop EP ‘Vanity Project’
Australian-based and evocatively-named The Great Emu War Casualties (TGEWC) have released the EP ‘Vanity Project’ – a dynamic, fresh and dazzling collection of effervescent shimmering tracks. There is an indefinable sound to the band, but it is one grounded in a great musicianship and creative, innovative songwriting – an indie pop sensibility that has been …
News: The legendary Ed Kuepper (The Saints, The Aints, Laughing Clowns) announces ‘The Exploding Universe of Ed Kuepper’ – a glorious vinyl collection to celebrate 45 years as an artist
Ed Kuepper has been a spine in the body of Australian indie music ever since forming The Saints in 1973 – releasing what is often argued as the first ever punk single ‘I’m Stranded’ – and a body of extraordinary work in the innovative The Laughing Clowns, The Aints and as a solo artist. To …
EP: RINSE’s ‘Wherever I Am’ is a glorious and immersive dream pop masterpiece
RINSE‘s new EP ‘Wherever I am Am’ has a magical immersive quality redolent of a warm cotton wool blanket that envelopes and tightly wraps itself around you. Every track is a melodic masterpiece, every track shimmers and every track glitters with a deep dream pop sensibility. RINSE is the solo work of Joe Agius, a …
EP: Barley Passable’s new EP ‘Hindsight’ is a collection of auditory delights wrapped in gorgeous melodies
Australian duo Barley Passable‘s new EP ‘Hindsight’ is a crystal clear bubbling stream – cool electronic riffs gurgle and flow with surprising twists and turns with vocal melodies skimming across the surface weightlessly. And importantly, it is an intelligent and diverse album that is filled with a sense of disembodiment and melancholy. Of the EP’s …