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The Great Emu War Casualties
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Growing up is hard. Dissecting those universal feelings and turning them into art is much harder, but that’s exactly what The Great Emu War Casualties have achieved on their debut album ‘Public Sweetheart No.1’, out Friday, March 27.
Across three EPs, Melbourne indie-rock outfit The Great Emu War Casualties have steadily sharpened their sound and songwriting, building toward their most fully realised work yet. The band recently shared the first glimpses of what was to come with the singles ‘Donut’ and ‘Wanna See You’, two tracks that capture different sides of their melodic, emotionally direct indie rock.
Now, it all comes together on their debut album ‘Public Sweetheart No.1’, a record that reflects on personal missteps, relationships, and the search for clarity amid chaos. Blunt, reflective and at times wryly self-aware, the album frames these reckonings through punchy, guitar-driven songwriting and sharp lyricism, presenting an honest self-examination that balances remorse, humour, and a determination to confront the past. Speaking on the album, Joe Jackson shares:
"‘Public Sweetheart No.1’ is a blunt, honest self-assessment of my own behaviour over an extended period of time and the various ways in which I have affected the people closest to me, so I’ve at least tried to make it catchy in order to better live with myself. It’s about the clarity I’ve found in going back to basics, in trying to remove the chaos and noise of the world in favour of honesty. An anthemic apology, with some ‘sorry, not sorry’ sprinkled on top. I am sorry though, really."
The album opens with ‘Ashes’, a driving intro that wastes no time with its layered, washy harmonies, addictive melodies and syncopated percussion. ‘Old Dog’ brings in the funky synth, showcasing the musical diversity of the band.
‘Overreacting’ and ‘Get What You Want’ are prime examples of The Great Emu War Casualties' penchant for clever and canny lyricism, combined with sultry, glittering guitars, high-energy drums and stacked vocal harmonies and countermelodies.
The second half of the record continues with single ‘Donut’, compelling in its upbeat commentary, followed by the record's token "happy track" ‘Wanna See You’. Ironically, it is followed by ‘Don’t Be Sad’, and ‘Sob Story’, the latter introducing distorted and menacing guitar riffs, bringing in a sense of existentialism.
‘Turn My Lights Out’ and ‘Old World’ bring the album to a close with the sleepy ballad, a reassuring musical blanket to end the record.
Self-deprecating and unfiltered, The Great Emu War Casualties reveal their full powers as sleep-deprived, overly emotional art-rockers on this debut album. Balancing the light and dark, the happy and sad, ‘Public Sweetheart No.1’ (Out Friday, March 27) might even be a cry for help as they lay it all out on the table, the highs and lows of life and every moment in between.
