The Broken Lines EP presents the stellar, dynamic rock sound of Melbourne-based artist Woody Irvine. The singer/songwriter and guitarist embraces a ’90s rock ethos throughout, spanning from the invigorating grunge of “Seasons Lament” to the yearning alt-rock of “Hold Your Face To The Sun.” “The vision for Broken Lines was unashamedly to make 1990s guitarbased rock music in the 2020s,” Irvine explains. “The title evokes for me the idea of disjointed links between the past and the present.”
“Shimokitazawa” is an immersive opener with ample climactic engrossment. Murmuring guitar tones and steadily evolving rhythms complement a descriptive lyrical narrative, depicting an underground club setting and a potential romantic connection. “See the girl sipping citrus highball in the cream trilby,” the vocals enamor, noting that “she’s swaying to the music.” Anxiety over the passage of time, and exploring the relationship beyond the club, proves stirring amidst the twangy guitar suaveness upon the “it’s loud and heavy but it’s soothing,” sequence. The track showcases the project’s knack for evolving melody and compelling lyrical themes alike — summarized in this case by the hopeful “you know there’s someone out there waiting for you,” soaring.
Another highlight comes in the form of “Seasons Lament,” where blistering guitar distortion exudes a delectable ’90s nostalgia. The bass-heavy verses and angsty vocals fully embrace the grunge and alt-rock cohesion, alongside lyrics that express a yearning for springtime’s arrival — and essentially a chance to start anew. “Seasons Lament” is a showcase of the project’s more expressive rock chops, bridging nostalgia and universal lyrical relatability. The Broken Lines EP is a solid rock-friendly offering with an ample dose of nostalgia from Woody Irvine.
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“Seasons Lament” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of December 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
