December 2022 Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite tunes of the month.
Words by Will Oakeshott
ALT. – WRAITH
“Sort the weeds from the flowers” – Wraith , Dan Richards, Alt. 2022.
These lyrics recited by vocalist Dan Richards of Adelaide’s Alt. in their single Wraith navigates multiple levels of irony, but in a fascinating fashion. The quintet’s brand of melodic post-hardcore blended with nü-metalcore is world-class – recently signing with Australian heavy weight label Resist Records and Sharptone Records in the USA is a testament of this. But where lies the paradoxes?
These are found in the blend of heavy versus melodic that the five-piece deliver in this lead single; at times Alt. are able to contend with the modern version of British metalcore goliath Bury Tomorrow in brutality; then on the other end of the spectrum, the outfit broadcast an infectious tenderness that pays homage to Chester Bennington and Linkin Park (there is even a delightful DJ scratch in the introduction of the track).
“I’m floating away, the wraith calls me by name” is in all likelihood the catchiest chorus hook the genre has heard in 2022; on the other hand, the screamed: “Turned it into gold” would impress Sam Carter. So here is the enigma: “Roses” are a vivid and alluring flower that have prickles which can cause wounds, “Dandelions” on the other hand are a type of weed that are both edible and visually tantalising.
Somehow Alt. are both in Wraith, so lie and listen in their flowerbed, there are beautiful petals in the metal.
Molly Rocket – ‘Asphalt’
“Music is the only thing I’ve ever known that doesn’t have any rules at all.” – Josh Homme.
Adelaide’s Molly Rocket in all honesty have very little in common with Queens Of The Stone Age’s Josh Homme - but undoubtedly, his statement is an awakening truth and one that the South Australian indie grunge surf rock quartet live by. Their formula is a peculiar one, however, upon listening one can already see the youth of today at a festival, swaying in the sun, singing along to the lyrics: “I haven’t felt this good in years”. Truth be told, you could see your parents doing it too, that is the strength of this single, it is unifying.
How to describe it? Let’s keep to the theme of bizarre: imagine Tame Impala collaborating with La Luz to create a theme song to the sequel of the Scott Pilgrim Vs The World movie, however this was required to be done in the vein of Nirvana’s Sliver and Peach Pit were included for mostly dance moves and Corona beer. Confusing? Certainly, but as Mr. Homme said there are no rules at all.
Simplified? This is a summer anthem for the “picnic at the beach at sunset” idea and it is very likely that the countdown to blast off is a guarantee for the quartet.
Dead Roo – ‘Compare Yourself’
One of the most majestic elements of music is where it can transport the listener – a memory, an inspiration or an array of emotions from an auditory illumination. For this writer (and assuredly many others), this transmission is often to other artists of familiar sounds and the majority of the time this is met with elation. Dead Roo have accomplished this brilliantly with their single Compare Yourself – Kevin Devine this scribe has missed you, but beware, this deceased five limb marsupial (a roo’s tail is considered a limb) is hopping to the front.
A benevolent atmosphere is created by the soft ticklings of guitars, bass and drums before Jason Katsaras croons in almost spoken-word-singing format about taking care of yourself, each other and mental health most importantly. This is a magnetising motif and simply, marvellous. The song builds and Jessica Johns hallmarks her presence delicately with her powerful voice. What is most astonishing is this single is not overly complicated, however the layers and chemistry between the band members is profound.
If Illinois’ American Football tour Australia again, Dead Roo are their needed support act, that’s the touchdown.
MUM’S FAVOURITE – ‘JELLYFISH RAIN’
Undeniably, the waters of Scotland are enchanting. There are over 19,000 kilometres of coastline, more than 120 whisky distilleries draw upon the nation’s remarkably pure water supplies and let’s not forget Nessie, the legendary Loch Ness monster. In more recent times, Scotland has suffered an invasion of deadly jellyfish invading their shorelines, a frightening occurrence.
It is only fitting then that Adelaide’s Mums Favourite observed this phenomenon, how terrifying it is, and used it for a story to write a blues indie rock track that Royal Blood would shot whisky to and possibly bring Nessie to the surface with. So, not all of this is entirely true - but the comparisons are authentic. Vocalist Sasha Theunissen wails and it is a spiritual experience – a throwback to that groove of the 1970s where music of this nature was imperfectly perfect. The Hendrix, Foghat and Joplin can be recognised but just as stimulation, not replication.
“Drink away the pain, jellyfish rain”. Astute lyrics and advice assuredly, what is your Mums Favourite whisky? Pour yourself a glass, pour her a glass, pour and drown yourself in this heavenly venom of blues.
