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Jun 15, 2018 By Adam Turner-Heffer Album of the Week

After last year’s excellent EP The French Press, young Melbournians Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have amassed quite the deal of hype. And justifiably so, the title track in particular went down as of the best tracks of 2017, excelling a considerable amount of excitement towards their first full length, when it comes.

This week, the wait is over, as the slightly clumsily named Aussie quintet release Hope Downs, their first foray into the long-playing record. Have they lived up to the weight of expectation? The answer is generally speaking yes, but their sound, it seems, still remains better suited to the extended player format. It is worth pointing out, however, this still very newish band have, presumably, plenty of time and fire left to give.

When Hope Downs is at its best though, it is amongst some of the best guitar based indie rock going right now. Lead single “Talking Straight,” for instance, shows the band at the peak of their powers, rivaling “The French Press” in terms of their very best songs. Similarly, “Time in Common” is an equally impressive outing from this promising group, reminding one of the sadly recently split up fellow countrymen Royal Headache.

By the time of final one-two punch “How Long?” and “The Hammer,” it’s hard to argue against Rolling Blackouts’ charm and impressive prowess for a debut record. Arguably what they do from here will be their real proving ground, but for now they have passed their initial test with flying colors.

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever Tour Dates:

Sun. July 22 - North Byron Parklands, AUS @ Splendour in the Grass
Sat. Aug. 11 - Rees-Haldern, DE @ Haldern Pop Festival
Thu. Aug. 16 - Trondheim, NO @ Pstereo Festival
Fri. Aug. 17 - Bigginghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival
Sat. Aug. 18 - Kiewit, BE @ Pukklepop Festival
Sun. Aug. 19 - Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man Festival
Tue. Aug. 21 - Dublin, IRL @ Whelans
Sat. Sep. 1 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Festival

www.rollingblackoutsband.com

Album of the Week Runner-ups (Also Released This Week):

Chromeo: Head Over Heels (Big Beat/Atlantic)

Johnny Marr: Call the Comet (New Voodoo)

Matty: Déjà Vu (Kobalt)

Melody’s Echo Chamber: Bon Voyage (Fat Possum)

Stuart A. Staples: Arrhythmia (City Slang)

Plus these albums and EPs of note also came out this week:

Arthur Buck: Arthur Buck (New West)

Kevin Krauter: Toss Up (Bayonet)

Mourn: Sorpresa Familia (Captured Tracks)

John Parish: Bird Dog Dante (Thrill Jockey)

Protomarytr: Consolation E.P. (Domino)

Various Artists: S&S Presents: Dreams (Cascine)

Yuno: Moodie (Sub Pop)

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