These New South Whales - TNSW

A pummelling bass tone is the first thing that broadsides you on These New South Whales’ blow-out third album ‘TNSW’. Packing hook-loaded punch after hook-loaded punch, there is nearly no space for breathing on what is shaping up to be an excellent post-hardcore record. Effortlessly tapping into the zeitgeist with political allegiances worn on the chest, hyper-animated choruses, charged grunts and an unmissable pop punk influence, Australia’s punk auteurs are so far flying high. ‘Bending At The Knee’ balances soaring Brendan Yates callouts with gritty pop punk sensibilities, while ‘Changes’ acts as a reflective, thought provoking track. ‘Back To You’ loses some pace before ‘Faceless’ hearkens KennyHoopla in a sprightly, ‘00s emo number but by ‘Going Outta My Mind’, frontman Jamie Timony’s melodious voice begins to occupy a less colourful monotone and the identical guitar tones start to pack a smaller punch than they did from the word ‘go’. Still, rousing, rallying and raucous, These New South Whales are, for the most part, having a whole lot of fun.