Ben Lowes-Smith discovers ramshackle melodicism and hooks aplenty
Upset The Rhythm
Released: 17.04.23
Australia’s Austerity ABBA return with their first album in five years. It’s a terse slap around the chops, absolutely jam-packed with ramshackle melodicism and hooks for days. Lyrically the record takes aim at Australia’s corrupt, colonial history. Neon-lit on this record is the greed, privilege and entitlement of white, wealthy Australia – most succinctly on Balconies, a song about collective apathy not being shrugged off until the problem is right under one’s nose.
Musically, the band don’t digress from their winning formula; four vocals singing as one, guitars and synths, bass and drums, however the band expand their sound with beautiful horn and string sections, which give songs like Market a profound melodic life. Call Me Terry is an impeccable addition to an excellent catalogue.