June 2023 - Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite releases of the week.
Twine – ‘My God’
There’s a darker-than-usual edge to Twine’s latest release. This tense, anxiety-ridden meltdown of a single opens with Thea Martin’s weeping violin (which holds its own spectacularly as the rest of the song later falls apart), while Thomas Katsaras’ raw vocals claw their way around tight, driven instrumentation. ‘My God’ dives in and out of complete chaos, building its way to a wall of frustrated sound that hints at something like the end of the world.
A recent post by Twine’s label, Kitty Records, explains that ‘My God’ marks the first time the five-piece wrote a song together in a single session. This is evident in how cohesive the track feels compared to previous releases and marks an exciting path forward for Adelaide’s noisiest band. For the full experience, check out the accompanying music video, shot by local director Conor Mercury and filmed in the faded heritage apartment buildings and industrial wastelands of Port Adelaide. The gritty clip opens with a shot of a mirror cracking, the band reflected in its surface - a moment that perfectly captures the tension and release of the song.
Sounds like: A big fucking racket.
By Timothea Moylan
Destinezia – ‘Wasted’
For a young band, Destinezia have their sound down pat. Releasing their second single ‘Wasted’ in mid-May, the four-piece outfit have shown they’re not here to mess around – and they know for certain that alt-indie-rock suits them down to the ground.
From mellow vocals and love-lost lyrics to tight guitar solos and an infectious drumbeat, ‘Wasted’ is a simply satisfying song you can leave on repeat. Lines like ‘maybe I just wanna have some fun//Cause I’m up all day, spendin’ all my pay//On things that make me occupied for just one day’, takes you straight back to a forgotten summer, while the surf-soaked sound leaves you longing for warmer weather.
Destinezia shares the same DNA as some of the country’s biggest indie-rock bands, with ‘Wasted’ not so distant from the early days of Hockey Dad, Spacey Jane and The Vanns. Australia’s music scene has missed the rampant rise of indie acts turned music festival mainstays like those we just namechecked. Could Adelaide’s own ‘cherry-loving’ band follow the same trajectory? We hope so.
Sounds like: A cider-soaked mosh at the Cranker when you’re 18 and feeling on top of the world.
By Zara Richards
Wireheads – ‘Hook Echo’
It’s been a long time between drinks for indie powerhouse Wireheads, and what a relief that the drought is over. ‘Hook Echo’ is one of two released tracks from the band’s upcoming album Potentially Venus, dropping June 23. With its no-nonsense, proto-punk drive, ‘Hook Echo’ channels early Stooges, set against the landscape of something far closer to home – a jaded suburban nightmare. ‘Hook Echo’ has an upbeat rock ‘n’ roll energy propelling the track forward through a set of relentless (but never tiresome) four chords, alongside spacey synths, drawling storytelling and cleverly layered vocals. It’s fun, unapologetic and worthy of a good dance on a beer-splattered bandroom floor. Hang tight for the rest of the album - if this tasty morsel is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat.
Sounds like: A road trip through country South Australia on a hot day.
By Timothea Moylan
Carla Lippis – ‘You Will Be Happy’
Netflix has a series called Snowpiercer based upon the 2013 film of the same name. It’s about the collapse of planet Earth due to global warming; a new Ice Age overtakes the world and a fast-moving train is the means of survival for the human race. In the series, Lena Hall portrays Miss Audrey, a cabaret performer and a powerful voice for the rebellion.
This train may need to come to a halt and allow Carla Lippis on board. The power of her new single ‘You Will Be Happy’ would reignite the sun and save the world at a stroke.
Be assured, however, the energy of the track and Carla’s outburst is not just one of salvation – it’s one of command. This is a spasmodic post-punk cabaret, likely spawned by Nick Cave and Diamanda Galás. It’s a complete ‘mistresspiece’, one that shrieks, haunts and inspires like a horror fi lm overlaid with the Peaky Blinders soundtrack.
It’s delightfully disturbing theatre and quite brute-iful.
Here is your ticket to happiness.
Sounds Like: The character Nick Cave howls about in ‘From Her To Eternity’.
By Will Oakeshott
Puree – ‘Five Dollar Stranger’
Puree deliver a high-energy toe-tapper with their third single ‘Five Dollar Stranger’. There’s an earnestness to the four-piece’s brand of indie rock which carries through the slick production. Warm, liquid guitar tones weave their way around this catchy, festival-ready banger, while Matthew Holland’s vocals range from ‘crisp and clean’ to ‘rasped and thick with emotion’. Conjuring up the summery Australian sound of Spacey Jane and Ocean Alley (or closer to home, the currently on-hiatus Venice Queens), ‘Five Dollar Stranger’ is dynamic and driven by a catchy pop hook that you won’t be able to get out of your head any time soon. It might not be breaking ground, but it’s putting some dents in the pavement and primed for Triple J airwaves.
Sounds like: Driving to a friend’s backyard drinks. The sun’s setting, you’re rugged up and the porch light is glowing warm…
By Timothea Moylan
The Dainty Morsels – ‘Don’t Stray’
In 1865, author Lewis Carroll released the ultimate fantasy novel, Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. It has inspired artists through the ages, with one fascinating instance being California’s Jefferson Airplane and their single ‘White Rabbit’. Releasing the track in 1967, this psychedelic outfit used the tale as lyrical inspiration – and the track in turn became a product of its pill-popping decade.
If Jefferson Airplane drew from the 1865 novel, then Adelaide’s The Dainty Morsels quite possibly drew from Tim Burton’s 2010 Academy Award-winning film version: their single, ‘Don’t Stray’ explores the same dreamy, adventurous psychedelia that Jefferson did so well, but they’ve invested a modern twist. Truthfully, they discover a certain timelessness with their brand of spacey rock and to the listener, it does feel like you’re in a world of make believe. Alice In Wonderland is about escapism to a degree, and The Dainty Morsels endorse this with the lyric, “you’d runaway, too”. Treasures are often found underground.
Sounds Like: A sweet psychedelic pavlova served at the Mad Hatter’s tea party.
By Will Oakeshott
Mars Club – ‘Wide-Eyed Saturday’
The second release by Adelaide newcomers Mars Club is a delicately layered slice of what the band call ‘cinematic art pop’. More simply put, it’s… pleasant. From the gentle plucking of the intro to the stringsy swell it becomes, ‘Wide-Eyed Saturday’ is warm, nostalgic, endlessly positive and verging on candy floss. It’s also mainstream radio-ready and a little reminiscent of noughties chamber pop darlings, Stars. It uses space and repetition to effect, while subtle harmonies are allowed room to breathe alongside more complex instrumentation.
And yet! The offering, which clocks in at just over three minutes, ends up being inescapably twee. It should be a nice, listless autumn morning (air smells like rain, sun casting aesthetic shadows on the sheets) but before long I’m thinking of my cardigan-wearing first boyfriend – and feeling how maybe you should end things sooner rather than later.
Sounds like: White marshmallows.
By Timothea Moylan
