Words: James Frostick, Tristan Davies, Tam Matlakowski and Dusty Anastassiou
Today marks the official release of Time Permits, the long-gestating debut album from Naarm/Melbourne “superb-group” Permits. Although described on paper as a band conceived as a way to document abandoned songs, the record’s collection of off-cuts and cast-aside ideas has come together as a remarkably listenable whole. The group has agreed to take us through the album, relaying the journeys and inspirations behind its 10 tracks of sublime strum.
Released via Copper Feast Records in late October, Gadigal/Sydney trio Narla have sealed the year with eight breezy bush-inspired singles that make up their newest album Till The Weather Changes. This road-trip-inspiring fever dream of an LP obliterates the borders connecting post-rock, heavy blues and prog-folk with the band’s no frills, genre-hopping approach to production and writing that one could say is undauntedly ‘goin’ where the wind blows’.
Words: James Frostick & Gregor Kompar Artist image: Ellen Fairbairn
Naarm/Melbourne prog-synth individualist Gregor is today releasing his anticipated sophomore album Destiny through esteemed institution Chapter Music. To celebrate, Gregor is taking us through the record via a track-by-track breakdown, shedding insight into his headspace and how the album – an adventure into anomalous otherworldly soundscapes and an inquiry into the humanity that underpins it – came to be.
Words: James Frostick and Mahne Frame Artist image: Tex Crick
Last week, Warrang/Sydney-born and Tokyo-based producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mahne Frame released MAD WORLD – an album of dystopian no-hoper club thump. A vivid reflection of contemporary millennial malaise, the search for purpose and holding on to love and positivity in a world quickly going to the dogs, the record is the perfect soundtrack for our turbulent times.
Words: James Frostick and Ela Stiles Artist image and cover art: Cait Burgoyne
Today marks the official release of Songs On Harmonium With Voice – the new seven-track album from Ela Stiles. Comprised of old and new compositions – reworked utilising a spartan sonic palette – the record presents a haunting reimagining of tracks born at the opposite end of the musical spectrum. Experimental and pop-driven compositions become grounded and solemn, unveiling a hidden beauty discovered via Ela’s powerful vocal performance.
Earlier this week friendships officially dropped FISHTANK, a brand-new album of multifaceted electronic music and visual accompaniments – a reverberating opus that might be one of the year’s most remarkable releases. Nic Brown takes us through the album’s distinct movements via a track-by-track breakdown – a tour as surreal and otherworldly as the listening/viewing experience itself.
On Friday September 25, songwriter and guitarist Chris Smith released his long-anticipated record Second Hand Smoke via It Records. Assembled and recorded over the better part of a decade, Second Hand Smoke is a compendium of dog-eared ideas accumulated over years – musings that have been given time to mature and settle, creating a lived-in and fully realised end product. Chris has kindly shed insight into the record via a track-by-track breakdown – a wonderful accompaniment to the listening experience.Continue reading Track by Track: CHRIS SMITH – SECOND HAND SMOKE (IT RECORDS, 2020)→
Today marks the official release of Saturn Rules The Material World – the debut album from SaD (Simona Castricum and Daphne Camf). This is a record that manages to navigate the choppy current of propulsive and murky techno and the leisurely eddies of minimal synth-laced balladry with equal amounts of poise. SaD have shared with us a track-by-track breakdown of the album in its entirety – not only its compositional origins and inspirations, but insight into the emotional heft the album carries.Continue reading TRACK BY TRACK: SaD – SATURN RULES THE MATERIAL WORLD (TRANS-BRUNSWICK EXPRESS, 2020)→
Words: James Frostick and Kim Salmon Artist image: Semiconductor Media
On KimSalmon & The Surrealists’ eighth record Rantings From The Book Of Swamp, the enduring Aus underground veterans are getting weird with it. A worldwide live-streamed improvised performance is now a double album, one that smoulders and crackles with the immediacy of a live recording, but with an off-kilter poise that could only be nailed by a crew of seasoned veterans.
Words: James Frostick and Nicole Thibault Band image: Jamie Wdziekonski
Today Naarm/Melbourne-based dream-pop outfit Thibault releases its brand-new LP Or Not Thibault via esteemed label Chapter Music. Comprised of Nicole Thibault of Minimum Chips fame and members of current-gen groups such as Parsnip, Traffik Island and The Ocean Party, Thibault revels in lush and considered sounds – music that inspires a kind of beatific calm. Nicole has kindly shared insight into the record, including the thoughts that shaped and inspired it.
Weirdo Wasteland is an Australian-based music blog that examines musical endeavour from the cultural fringe. The site regularly features reviews and interviews from the underground scenes from Australia and New Zealand. Weirdo Wasteland acknowledges the original custodians of the land upon which it operates. Sovereignty has never been ceded. To get in touch, contact: weirdowasteland (at) gmail.com
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