Melbourne indie-folk trio Grey Whistle Test craft their own atmosphere on new single, ‘Nylon’
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22.01.2021

Melbourne indie-folk trio Grey Whistle Test craft their own atmosphere on new single, ‘Nylon’

Words by Tom Parker

The new track is filled with gratitude.

Through their spacious indie-folk, Grey Whistle Test are carving out their own space in the Melbourne music scene. After releasing ‘Terraformer’ last year – a multi-sensory fusion of synthesisers and percussion – the band is back with their first track of 2021.

‘Nylon’ sports a serenity and gentleness that isn’t often heard, let alone on Melbourne’s ambitious, adventurous music landscape. As bands and artists put the pedal to the metal to place themselves ahead of the pack, Grey Whistle Test are happy to dial things back, to create music that’s perfect for hungover mornings or sunny Sundays.

Characterised by a minimal percussive undercurrent, composed acoustics and swirling synths encircle ‘Nylon’ like a gleaming Postal Service track. Max Stanley’s tender falsetto speaks of friendship and togetherness, “You open the door/no silence/open the door/no silence,” he sings. “As those who saved us/always say/don’t get rope/get nylon.”

The lyrics tell the story of the band getting bogged on a camping trip and facing a “bad fate.” Later rescued by a generous local, the welcome stranger imparts the importance of using nylon over rope – a metaphor which stayed with the trio and holds even greater weight in the chaotic world we live in today.

The new song is accompanied by a video clip representing the band’s fun-loving DIY ethos. Filmed on a hand camera during a recent camping trip up the Australian east coast, Grey Whistle Test head into the wilderness and get up to all kinds of mischief.

Check out the new video below.

‘Nylon’ is out now. For more on Grey Whistle Test, check out their Spotify, Facebook and Instagram

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