The Melbourne eight-piece deliver charming, joyous indie-pop on their new EP ‘We Knew That We Had To Leave’, creating a textured sound adding intriguing elements that are only picked up with repeated listens.
Led by chief songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Nick McMillan, The Good China’s catchy and irresistible sounds are backed by genuine, honest lyrics that can be both amusing, heart wrenching, and occasionally melancholic.
‘We Knew That We Had To Leave’ is a bright pop song that doesn’t take itself too seriously, featuring tongue-in-cheek, anti-hipster sentiments such as the fantastic line “The DJ’s spinning ‘This Charming Man’ again / All the cool kids saying that they already knew it / Singing ‘I’m so fucking indie, I don’t even listen to music’.’’
The song describes nostalgic youthful memories and the true realities associated with them, moving on from a previous life, all the while backed by dancey guitar and piano lines.
You’ve probably heard “No More Maps, No More Roads” on that German car ad, but it’s much more than just a song from a commercial. It’s a layered, exhilarating catchy affair about leaving the old life described in the earlier songs behind, and entering a new period, filled “with uncertainty”.
EP-closer “Marcio” steps away from the bright indie pop that fills the other tracks, delivering a beautiful, heartbreaking song regarding the death of a close friend. Beginning with just a quiet ukulele and regretful, melancholic lyrics, it builds and develops with added, subtle elements of soft piano work and driving drums.
McMillan’s vulnerable vocals delivering painfully honest observations like: “you don’t know what you’ll do until it’s done” and “sorry I didn’t call you right away / you call it shock or stupidity, it’s all the same / that won’t stop me beating myself up again and again.”
We Knew That We Had To Leave cements The Good China’s place as one of Melbourne’s most promising indie outfits.
