ADELAIDE’S PARADISE CLUB REDEFINE GENRES WITH DEBUT ALBUM
Pictured: Adelaide’s indie pop-punk-rockers, Paradise Club Image: Supplied
Adelaide’s Paradise Club are redefining punk genres in Australia as we know it with their debut self-titled album (released via their new home at Farmer & The Owl), Paradise Club. It’s been three-and-a-half years in the making, with the band recording the album in Melbourne’s picturesque Dandenong Ranges.
After appearing onto the Adelaide scene in 2017, Paradise Club have since supported the likes of Ocean Alley, Trophy Eyes, Endless Heights, and The Lemonheads, whilst also opening the Adelaide leg of Laneway Festival in 2018.
The album begins with Seed, which reminds me of RUFUS DU SOL with the quick pace and dream-like energy felt throughout. We’re then greeted by front man Gere Fuss’s vocals which make for an incredible fusion of synth sounds and punk vocals, ultimately establishing Paradise Club’s distinct sound.
Over at Triple J Unearthed, Paradise Club wrote that lyrically, Seed examines a “rough patch” experienced by Fuss, and serves as a bittersweet introspective moment for him.
Next up is All You Got, which was one of Paradise Club’s pre-released singles earlier this year. Already the listener is treated to so many glistening moments from this album, with twinkling synth sounds making this track sound like a pop-punk dream.
Song number three, Zaz, really delves deeper into those earlier feelings expressed by Fuss, which are enhanced by the slight warping of his vocals at times throughout.
Sonically, this album dips and dives between synths and pop-punk guitars, which is such an eclectic mix but is used to Paradise Club’s advantage.
In Saturday Night the synths take a back-seat ride and Paradise Club loops back to that indie-pop rock sound, with Fuss’s gentle and melancholic vocals are a stand out here.
There’s even a song for a bit of an indie-dance moment, as 2R begins with an animated beat, and shortly tropical guitar melodies come through to make for a summery Adelaide vibe.
Towards the end of the album, Me and You’re There is a modern day love song with Paradise Club’s ability to instil feelings of nostalgia in this listener through their warm rhythms and pertinent lyrics.
Paradise Club is a stellar debut album, adorned with glimmering synths, resounding synths and pensive moments galore.
Paradise Club have caught the light with this release, and in doing so have created an album rich with emotion, and diversified Australia’s punk genre more broadly.