The weekend is upon us and so are a bunch of new tunes. Currently on the road showcasing their debut EP/mini album, Sydney band Battleships have cracking new single ‘Coming Back To You’. New York group Challenger have a new album with so many amazing songs (it was hard to choose just one), Frightened Rabbit are back with a single from their forthcoming EP, The Chemist have returned with a single from their debut album due out next year and The Straight Arrows bring us their take on ‘Lies’ by 60’s group The Knickerbockers for the new Nuggets Antipodean Interpolations compilation.
Battleships – Coming Back To You
Battleships’ latest offering comes in the form of their sullen single ‘Coming Back To You’. With statement making percussive beats and lead vocalist Jordan Sturdee’s sweet pipes taking centre stage, the track is sure to be on heavy radio rotation soon. Taken from their mini-album To You which has already produced two other successful singles, Battleships are bound to explode any day now so get on board.
Challenger – Are You Scared Too?
This eerie cut off the three-piece’s debut album (which drops on November 27th) sounds like what would happen if Peter Gabriel ever wrote a song for Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle. With 80s moody synths and gentle, almost whisper-like vocals, the track is as striking as it gets. Towards the end of the song, the mood picks up and the band’s Paul Simon circa Graceland influence becomes clear. The latter half of the song is much more reminiscent of other tracks on the band’s debut record,The World Is Too Much For Me. Keep your eye out for these guys.
Frightened Rabbit – Dead Now
Frightened Rabbit’s latest release is further reason to be very excited for their upcoming fourth album Pedestrian Verses, to be released in February next year. The most recent taste from the Scottish band’s forthcoming LP, ‘Dead Now’ features a driving bass line, handclaps and a wonderful guitar solo, as well as uncharacteristically dark lyrics from frontman Scott Hutchison. Lines such as “I’m dead now / Can you hear the relief / Cause life’s belligerent symphony’s finally ceased” form a clear contrast with the upbeat instrumentation, creating an infectiously catchy track that just gets better with repeated listens. If the new track is anything to go by, next year’s album should be very highly anticipated indeed.
The Chemist – Spray Paint or Praise (still a statue in the wind)
Finally the return of Perth four-piece The Chemist! ‘Spray Paint or Praise (still a statue in the wind)’ is the first taste off their long awaited debut album due for release in early 2013. This track is drenched with blues guitars and organ and the heart and soul vocalist Ben Witt. The Chemist are never straight up, so the track is teamed with interesting production and instrumental guitar breakdowns. Keep an eye for the album in 2013.
The Straight Arrows – Lies (Nuggets Antipodean Interpolations)
Antipodean Interpolations the awesome new compilation with covers of the original Nuggets Australian bands including The Frowning Clouds, The Murlocs, Pond, Pearls, Baptism Of Uzi and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. The original artyfacts from the first psychedelic era Nuggets was compiled by Lenny Kaye Australian garage-rock of the 60s. Covering The Knickerbockers 1965 tune ‘Lies’ is Sydney band The Straight Arrows who have definitely added their modern fuzz garage touch. Do yourself a favour and listen to the whole album!
