Melbourne’s EXILES are leading the indie rock revival with their urgent and elegant debut album ‘Waiting For Romance’.
EXILES – ‘Waiting For Romance’
EXILES first entered our consciousness when they were featured in our article Next Wave. Five Essential New Indie Rock Bands We highlighted ‘Wasting Away’ a track that immediately took us back to the early 2000’s. Do you remember when The Strokes reinvented cool with their arty arrogance and distorted vocal stylings?
Twenty years on, EXILES might be leading the next indie rock revival with their own brand of artful indie. ‘Waiting For Romance’ is their debut album and it sounds exciting.
‘Waiting’ is a big theme of the album and you get the distinct impression that the EXILES boys are over it. On track 3 ‘Waiting For You’ there is a mixture of reluctant patience and frustration. By the time we arrive at track 7 ‘Ceiling’ it’s clear all patience has expired. “I ain’t waiting no more, the time is here, the time is now” The message is clear and this refrain is left ringing in your head.
Track 4 ‘Rinse, Repeat’ is about the frustrations of monotony, it’s EXILES’ ‘Is This It’ moment with its laconic and disinterested style, the track provides a moment of calm elegance before the energy returns on ‘Out Of Reach’. This track feels like a pivotal moment and a change in outlook with the lyrics proclaiming “I’m a new man”. This is quickly followed by the swagger of ‘Star’ it’s their ‘Rock n Roll Star’ moment and just like Oasis before them, the question is not if, but when.
Produced by Alex Markwell (The Delta Riggs, Portugal The Man), the album is a gritty blend of post-punk energy. This eight-track debut is long enough to build excitement and short enough to leave you wanting more. Markwell was brought on board to capture and translate the energy and unbridled rock’ n roll of the band’s live performances, and he’s undoubtedly succeeded.
“Just try not to find yourself listening to this album on repeat. EXILES are here to stay.”
Fans of The Strokes or Fontaines DC will find much to love here. Do the world a favour and tell a friend about EXILES ‘Waiting For Romance’ this is too good to remain a secret.
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Words Mark Knight
