“On their aptly titled third album, the Meanjin/Brisbane band have read the books, done the self-reflection, and stared long and hard into the mirror that is a bus window at 1am. They emerge with a collection of songs that refines but never loses the parts that make up their charmingly ramshackle whole.
By their 3rd album, most bands are supposed to have figured it out, but this one is more about knowing you never will and making peace with that.”
After listening to the opening track “Self Help”, I was glad that someone is speaking the truth for so many people I have met. They read those books, then go to the talks and watch the content, but in the end, they can’t help themselves!
The cover artwork is reminiscent of something out of Bob’s Burgers but with a more artistic flair. It looks like friends chilling with their coffee/tea mugs. And that is very much a vibe I am getting, listening to the album.
I’m not sure if anyone remembers the Presidents of the USA (the band). Still, even if you do, it’s such an obscure reference, but they remind me of that style with fewer punk elements. The sound also reminds me of some other bands from the late ’90s and early ’00s, whose names I cannot recall. Still, it is a very easy-going, chilled-out indie rock sound with some shoegaze vibes, including surfy-sounding guitars, very earthy-sounding drums, and solid bass lines.
Loved “Instant Coffee.” It came as a surprise, not only because they switched from a male to a female lead vocalist, but because of how they really embraced and supported that different vocalist with the arrangement and overall sound. And just like in the tracks before this one, there are subtle high-pitched harmonies by her; in this one, there are soft, low male vocal harmonies in the background, balancing the sound and feel of the album.
There are also apparent references here to more folk/country/americana sounds, but they are nicely filtered through an indie rock feel. Also, I am sometimes weirdly reminded of The Cardigans, but perhaps only in how the guitar and bass lines intertwine when they are not using a classic “solid rhythm section and strum on top” arrangement.
Loved the bells and synth sounds on “Windows and Doors.” These are the elements that can make bands in this genre stand out and bring more flavour and colour to their sound! I got “Heroes” (David Bowie) on “Insult to Injury”, but more like if The Smashing Pumpkins wrote it, the subtle and expressive low male vocals are excellent here, creating an incredible emotional sound that builds into a “shy” anthem that could be the soundtrack to an indie film. This song is probably my favourite one.
Last but not least, I would like to mention something about the production. As a music producer myself, I always pay attention to it, even more so than the music sometimes. But the best-sounding music production makes you think nothing of it and allows you to enjoy the music simply because everything is in balance; everything has its own place and role, and you can immerse in the journey of the album. This is definitely one of those!
Written by Spiros Maus
