Ahead of the release of their anticipated debut album Elephant Room, Melbourne’s Fan Girl continue to build up the hype in letting us know a bit more about each track you can be getting your ears ’round, come March 23rd.
We’ve already heard (and loved) “Small Town”, but let the band tell you some more about the rest of the record below…
NoLita
“NoLita” was a bit of a leap of faith. Noah and Jack took a while to really embrace it in the studio, and it only really earned it’s place as the album opener once we tracked the fantastic backing vocals with Danna and Dom. It is now a live favourite for the band and feels like the perfect, manic way to open the sonic disaster that is Elephant Room.
Small Town
The lead single off the record, and the only song that truly took the whole recording process to get right. The lyrics act as a reminder that charm is a shell, friendships are like gardens and some people will do anything to have a good time. It really shouldn’t work, and it probably doesn’t.
Posca Veins
Written on a five minute bus trip home, and recorded in full the next day, “Posca Veins” is probably the most straight ahead song on the record. Jack really steered this one to become the song it is, and it was one of the first songs that Noah wrote and completed vocals for, so it is a little bit special to us.
Cold Tea
Lyrically, “Cold Tea” is a tale of half drunken cups of tea, Qantas branded t-shirts and final conversations. Musically, it features the most acoustic guitar on any song on the record, and some absolutely fantastic vocal work from Danna. It has only been played live once, but will feature at the upcoming album launch shows – this might be the only time you can catch it.
Talk
“Talk” is a dumb song, written for smart people, featuring lyrics about the wild, untameable and unshamable (and our desire to let them know how fun they are to be around). It is an onslaught of guitars, and is really just us playing musical dress ups. The album version also definitely has the best outro of any song on the record, so keep an ear out for that.
Disappear
“Disappear is a song of contradictions and ironic cliches, from the three part harmonies, the sing along chorus, to that goddamn cowbell that Krish resents to this day. The lyrics take the position of a party-jaded and anxious narrator, who has become infatuated with and bewildered by a popular, social reveller. It is also our attempt to make sure that everyone has adequate car insurance, and takes care of their dental health.
I Knew You From Before
“I Knew You From Before” features Dom channelling Isaac Brock as he vocally goes toe to toe with a rambunctious rhythm. It has become a really nice part in the set, having Dom and Noah share lead vocals. Their romance is forever bubbling. It is home to an over complicated chorus riff, a lot of studio silliness, and a consistent misconception that this song is about surfing. Luke also rips a mad solo here in the live setting, so be ready for FACE MELTING ©™
Basecamp
“Basecamp” was the very first idea that Vince showed Jack, and the first song that Noah wrote vocals for. Potentially over-ambitious in every way, it is a highlight on the album, and really sets the tone for the rest of the record. It has a misguided repetition musically, that matches the lyrical confusion of memories blurring between Busan and Fukuoka. It is probably the reason that this band was started, so thanks, “Basecamp” (you can take that as a positive or negative).
Out Again
“Out Again” is full on. We really should have refined this one a bit. Featuring a solo section that sounds like mutiny at the zoo, a venomous vocal delivery from Noah, and an over-indulgent amount of drum tracks, “Out Again” is attempting to walk the fine line between shambolic and sophisticated. It was Jack’s favourite song when we were working on it, and has now become a crowd favourite (Jack is annoyingly always right), so here’s hoping that you like it too!
Folded Mind
The last song on the album, “Folded Mind”, was also the last song written for the record. It was a dare from Jack to Vince, to go one better than another song that might have otherwise finished the album. It partially acts as a summary of the 10 songs as a whole, whilst also hinting at what might be to come. It features Noah’s angelic vocals (and one questionably high note in the chorus), a lot of now signature ‘Jack & Vince Studio Trickery (Or How We Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Production Faux Pas)’ and swings around a clockwork rhythm. The lyrics are equally specific and vague and it is a confusing and dark ending to Elephant Room.
PSA: Get the vinyl version for an alternative, BETTER ending to Folded Mind (trust us here).
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Elephant Room is released via Caroline Australia on March 23rd. Catch the band out on the road too in April and May!
April 21st | Workers Club, MELBOURNE
May 4th | Botany View Hotel, SYDNEY
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Photo: Giulia Giannini McGauran
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