If I made a ‘Best Of’ compilation of the top American ‘indie’ tunes circulating around the last four years or so, this track by Mansion, Alaska would probably sound sum them all up. Not going to waste time musically referencing the obvious. I mean, thes guys have the word ‘Alaska’ in their name <insert sensitive, self-aware man of the modern age! Retreats to log cabin in woods, takes July-Oct to perfect his beard, makes sparse, atmospheric psalms to lull the masses!>.

Okaay. No more pigeonholing. ‘Steps’…..WHAT AN IMPRESSIVE TRACK. I’ve actually held off posting this for a while because every time I put this on, I end up napping at my computer or brain-wandering off into the same malaise that happens when I crank the Thom Yorke.

Almost everything about this track is seamless. There’s a flowing piano arpeggio thing going on and some dreamy guitar work gravitating somewhere around stratosphere level that sets this single on the up from the intro. Beautiful vocals and seriously great drumming too. The percussion here has that I’lls feel to it, but low and behold –  wonderdudes Simon Lam (I’lls/Kins/Ocean Party/Nearly Oratorio) and Hamish Mitchell (I’lls) were on mixing duties on the band’s self titled EP.

‘Steps’ is tune of the month from me. JJJ start fapping. Other worldly bloggers, get onto this. And the rest of you, go forth and hear the rest of their stellar debut here.

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Love Like Hate hit the road for the film clip for their latest single ’21’. It was worth the trip. There’s been nothing but love buzzing around the Brisbane two piece since they released their debut EP Rabbit Hole, an enchanting mix of melodrama and intrigue, infused together through classic piano and gnarly post-punk guitars. But it’s the song writing stylings of Heather Cheketri and Sonja Ter Horst that have me hooked. Spruced up ballad ‘21’ is particularly great, and a strong lead single for the girls. While powerful and emotive, it’s also incredibly warm and sincere. An excellent sign of things to come.

The girls are launching Rabbit Hole on September 21st at the Beetle Bar in Brisbane.

lovelikehate.bandcamp.com

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