Following the release of their debut LP You Work For Us in 2017, These New South Whales maintain their raw punk sound while delivering sharper, more refined melodies across their latest album.
I Just Do What God Tells Me To Do is reminiscent of early noughties indie rockers like Interpol and The Strokes, but with an apparent Aussie drone. The guitar riffs are incredibly catchy and instantly uplifting, with songs like ‘In The Light of Day’ a befitting soundtrack to your early morning commute.
‘Safe In My Skin’ and ‘Talking Out Of Turn’ are favourites due to their hypnotic melodies and sweeping wah noise. ‘Rest Solo’ is another short and fast-paced track abundant with energy.
Each track on the album carries its own unique sound, notably the pulsating electronic sounds in ‘Do U Connect’ which almost sounds like a stock ringtone you’d find on an old Motorola flip phone.
Despite the upbeat feel of the album, These New South Whales reflect on political ideas through their lyrics, like in their previous album. The title track in particular has a strong message, with lyrics “I think it’s about high time we all stopped blaming our behaviour on a good relationship with God”.
Clocking in at just over a minute, the track is more like a short conversation than a song. The change in pace is a surprise amongst the tracklist and seems a deliberate way of drawing attention to the message.
These New South Whales hit the nail on the head with this exciting modern punk album, staying true to the hard-edged melodies and political lyrics of the genre. I Just Do What God Tells Me To Do is punk with a twist.
