Australian quintet 1929indian recorded their debut EP 'The Dreaming' back in June and are all set to let it out upon the public! Five tracks and twenty minutes of unrestrained genre blending, its an EP that takes note of a number of sonic sensibilities, compounding them into an effort unsurprisingly unique in its execution. A New Wave ethos prevails, post-punk subtleties twisting from its complex and cascading pop-rock aesthetic. An experimental air hangs about the release, emulated by the band's ability to merge it with an accessibility often sorely missed by many on records that carry the label. The result is an EP that retains the catchy essence of pop, hooks and refrains abound, but perfects and refines it with scope and imagination that while not revolutionary, feels brilliantly fresh and admirably individual! Recorded with producer Dave Hammer, who worked with the fabulous Die! Die! Die!, there is an accomplished balance here between both an immediacy and nostalgic retrospection. It is an incredible emotional reminiscence, powered along by passion and technical ability! Opening with 'North into the Sky' and a solid chord progression, 1929indian slowly build upon that initial reverberated guitar melody, bass and vocals and attenuated drums falling into the mix. Surreal singing relays lyricism that muses the uncontrollable nature of love, a fantastically blue tone lending the track a forlorn and gloomy aroma. A climactic finish lead on from a memorable refrain, throbbing and growing before dying to a strong and glorious conclusion. Noticeably more upbeat, 'Women in Cages' follows, drum phrases pleasant in their technicality. Beats and keyboard synths throw an electronic twist in 1929indian's path without steering them off course, a suitably epic end leading blissfully into '0.1Lux'. Darker from the off, the vocals are at their best here. Backed by a steady beat and stunning keys that give the whole song something innately intriguing, I can't help but love it. The chorus is swamped by a guitar that harks back to an age forgotten by many. Dripping in reverb and refracted by an ethereal abstraction, that hook remains, persistent in its resolve. One layer after another of vocals flit between foreground and background, forming a scape too beautiful not to explore. The relatively short 'Six O'Clock Swill' endeavours to follow in its predecessor's footsteps, proceeding with a heavier electronic sensibility. A rebellious and outstanding penultimate number, prolonged notes and sinister lyricism made me shudder!
The fifth and final song doubles as the title track, leading the EP to comfortably brilliant completion. Immediately deep and strangely soothing, a militaristic drum beat supports a set of vocals similarly profound. Built up into a Florence and the Machine-esque harmony, powerful and evocative and yet still intrinsically danceable. It's a chilled out finish to an EP that sets my anticipation for 1929indian's debut full-length extremely high. 'The Dreaming' however has placed within me a confidence in the Australian outfit that will not be quelled! I suggest streaming '0.1Lux' below and heading to the SoundCloud, to hear the EP in full!
