Just a few months on from their debut single ‘Ronnie’, Lucas James and his Midnight Drags project have done it again by way of their latest cut, the powerful ‘It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself)’.
When Midnight Drags first appeared on the scene back in October with the slick ‘Ronnie’, there was no denying their universal appeal thanks to their self-described ‘rock/power-pop/fuzz’ sound.
With the likes of guitarist Ashley Naylor (Even, Paul Kelly Band), bassist Bill McDonald (Stephen Cummings, Frente!), and drummer Brett Wolfenden (The Casanovas, Wolfmother) on deck, James was surrounded by some Australia’s finest artists in the studio, with the track serving as one of the most underrated songs of the last 12 months.
“Midnight Drags was borne out of a desire to play some of my slightly scuzzy power-pop with a band as I’d usually always recorded on my own and tried to cover all bases by myself,” he explains. “This was a chance to let go of some of that creative control and allow other amazingly talented people to become part of the process and outcome. Glad I did.”
Now, Midnight Drags are back with another stunning cut, with ‘It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself)’ set to serve as one of the finest pieces of Aussie power-pop in years. Kicking off with a fuzzy interplay of guitar, bass, and drums so dazzling that it would make even the late Marc Bolan jealous, ‘It’s True’ ups the ante by way of some accomplished lyricism, before a mesmerising chorus and a striking guitar solo drive in on home.
“‘It’s True’ is really a song about self loathing and being in an emotionally dark place,” James explains. “It’s about not feeling worthy of being in a relationship and pushing somebody you really care about away. It’s another dark song that I loved sweetening up with some bigger pop-rock elements.”
A stunning example of what makes Midnight Drags one to keep an eye on, both ‘Ronnie’ and ‘It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself)’ are set to appear on the upcoming album from the project, with Bad Business set to arrive on Friday, February 26th.
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“The main themes of the album are loss, longing, drugs, criminal endeavours, the music industry and depression.. ha!,” James explains. “I guess it is pretty dark – it’s called Bad Business and that is what it is about.
“Although it covers some pretty grim subjects and touches on fairly depressive content, I think it still has an upbeat vibe musically. I wanted to make an album that had loud guitars and guitar solos, ballads, rocking drums, big melodies and instrumental songs…A ‘classic’ album vibe you could say!
“It was tracked to tape and played by real instruments, and it was conceived as a ‘whole album’ over two sides. I can’t wait to put it out on vinyl.”
If you’re liking the sound of all this, and you can’t stand to let a minute go by without hearing the full track, then be sure to check out ‘It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself)’ below, ahead of its official release on Friday, January 29th.
Check out ”It’s True (I Can’t Stand Myself)’ by Midnight Drags:
