Australia has always been a keen exporter to foreign markets. From traditional resources like coal, wool and copper, to the non-traditional, like Paul Hogan and wine. But, one thing that Australia’s always been pretty consistent in exporting is quality music. Currently, one of Australia’s biggest exports globally is our psychedelic rock scene.
Having gradually risen in stature over the past decade, Aus psych rock is now easily one of the country’s biggest exports. On the back of some local trailblazers, there’s a level of awareness of the scene on a global scale that truly makes what Psychedelic Porn Crumpets is doing something to take notice of.
The Perth legends are back in 2021 with SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound, their fourth album in five years, and their most complete and probably frenetic yet. Having toiled away since forming in 2014, the five piece have managed to piece together eleven prime cuts (and three interludes) of wandering, expansive and at times honestly bizarre rock.
Opening with the haunting minute long “Big Dijon”, it doesn’t take long for the band to move back into the chaos you’ve come to expect from them. The punchy and riff laden “Tally-Ho” truly kick starts an album that is, above anything else, genuinely fun to listen to.
Having spoken previously about drawing influence from other Australian acts like Pond, Tame Impala and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, there’s a level of accessibility to SHYGA! that could in time set the band apart from their contemporaries. While there are obvious similarities between all those bands, there’s enough going on here that makes you feel comfortable backing Pyschedelic Porn Crumpets to kick on to bigger things outside of the local scene.
The melody driven “Tripolasaur”, with its emphatic lead guitar matched by the at times soaring falsetto of front man Jack McEwan, is one of the album’s front half’s leading songs. There’s a definite sonic similarity to Mini Mansions with a little nod to mid 2000s emo as the band continues to go all in on “The Terrors”.
Toning it down ever so slightly with “Hats off to the Green Bins” and “Glitter Bug”, this two-run of tracks shows a slightly more accessible side to a band who admittedly may not be one everyone warms to on the first listen. The layered guitars across the whole of the album is a critical win for the band, as they continue to explore expansive and indulgent bridges and chorus interludes.
The strongest hat trick of songs has to be “Pukebox”, “Mundungus” and “Mango Terrarium”. With two of the three tracks previous singles from the album, you’ll understand why the band decided to let the public listen to “Pukebox” and “Mundungus” ahead of time. But, a personal highlight is “Mango Terrarium”, a pulsating exploration of everything good about the band. Finally, closing the album is “The Tally of Gurney”, a song as distinctly different from the rest of the release as the difference between its first two minutes and closing two. It’s a subtle and sweet ending to the album.
While not every track is as much of a winner as the one before, SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound has too much going for it for the rest of the world to not take notice of this Western Australian gem. Surely headed for greener pastures (whether here or abroad), you don’t have to be the Minister for Trade to know Psychedelic Porn Crumpets are a worthy investment and are likely to be a massive export soon enough.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets’ new album SHYGA! The Sunlight Mound is out Friday 5 February. Pre-order your copy HERE.
The band are returning to the road, supporting Ocean Alley on their national tour throughout August and September (dates below). Until then you can keep up with the band via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and their Official Website.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets Tour Dates
Fri 6th Aug | John Cain Arena, Melbourne (Tickets)
Fri 13th Aug | Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide SOLD OUT
Sat 14th Aug | Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide (Tickets)
Fri 20th Aug | Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane SOLD OUT
Sat 21st Aug | Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane SOLD OUT
Sun 22nd Aug | Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane (Tickets)
Fri 27th Aug | Hordern Pavilion, Sydney SOLD OUT
Sat 28th Aug | Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (Tickets)
Sat 11th Sep | Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle (Tickets)
