Darts are volatile in the best sense, combining Sonic Youth-y guitars and a degenerate snideness with a powerhouse drummer and Angus Ayres’ Modest Mouse-esque growl. Their new album, Below Empty & Westward Bound, roams hungrily all over the place, as does their bruising live show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsCuEMm47HI
The new single ‘Aeroplane’ shows off yet another side of the Bendigo/Melbourne five-piece, thanks to the softer lead vocals of guitarist Ally Campbell-Smith. It’s still dark and grungy, but it’s the Darts equivalent of a ballad and provides a respite from the forcefulness elsewhere. With frayed guitars, wailing vocals and dissonant keys form a rich collage throughout the single, edging in and out of complete chaos and serene moments which rise so beautifully. Aggressive beats and punchy yet melodic guitars set the tone — it’s fast and fun, raunchy and loud. They’ve taken angst, sadness, and frustration, and spat it out in the best possible way. It’s a breath of crisp, pure, non-ironic air, The band are doing a few dates supporting Super Best Friends before launching the album in catch them live if you can.
Andrew Ayres
Angus Ayres
Jessie Fernandez
Paige X Cho
The Fat Angel Sings 