DZ Deathrays – ‘Black Rat’

By Ben Tipple

‘Black Rat’, the sophomore record by Brisbane based self-confessed house party aficionados DZ Deathrays, is like a journey through an adolescent’s fucked up headspace. Imagine an episode of Skins – the British TV show following a group of debauched teenagers through various exaggerated trials and tribulations of life – well, this album could soundtrack it all.

Sounds terrible right? Wrong!

Their whirlwind of punk-electro immediacy is simply brilliant. Although the idea of becoming one of those melodramatic characters might be enough to turn you into one, nothing sounds better than their confused schizophrenic thoughts turned up loud.

From the opening moments of the title track, ‘Black Rat’ takes the listener on a suitably degenerate journey. The swaggering introduction turns to a clash of unpredictable vocals, synth and powerful drums. It’s claustrophobic – the musical equivalent of strobe lights and smoke machines in a dank underground venue.

‘Black Rat’ takes the contrast of genres honed on debut ‘Bloodstreams’ to the next level. ‘Gina Works At Hearts’ mashes gritty punk with the occasional breathy vocal and a jagged guitar line, while the downbeat ‘Keep Myself On Edge’ bursts into an equally ominous chorus, with equally jarring guitars.

Sleazy, dirty and noisy, ‘Black Rat’ is unapologetic in its audial thrash-pop onslaught. The record battles with itself through punk, electro and pop, revelling its own incongruousness. Like a melodramatic teen’s perfect evening, it’s angry, unpredictable, takes you in and spits you out, ultimately leaving you covered in vomit, confused yet satisfied.

BEN TIPPLE

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