Pond’s Upcoming Track “Through the Heather” Promises Punk and Political Progress
Photo Credit: Kristofski
Iconic Australian psych rock band, Pond, has stretched in a whole new direction with the release of their latest single “Through the Heather”, ahead of their album Terrestrials, which arrives on June 19.
The Perth-based group is known for their acclaim in the massive Australian neo-physcadelia scene, and while the single encompasses their existing sound, it was intentionally made with a set of new stipulations: “No fuzz pedal. No ballads. No ‘Pink Floyd shit’”.
Upon first listen, it is immediately apparent that 80s New Wave was a large inspiration for the single. Beats are spunky and (post) punky with the usual Big Muff distortion pedal traded instead for glam-rock synths. The accompanying music video oscillates between beautiful mountain range scenes and a dark underbelly with bats, spiders, and glowing red eyes. The vintage animation could have been straight from a scene in He-Man, save for the musical track!
Fittingly, “Goths at the pub,” has been described as the muse of the soon to be released body of work on Terrestrials.
“The idea of “Goths at the pub” became the record’s stylistic north star — iconic 80s Australiana being acid-washed with the eyeliner-stained post-punk of Sisters Of Mercy, Magazine and the like. “‘Would Goths like it?’ ‘Could you have a beer to this?’ If the answers were yes it was thrust into the mix.”
Terrestrials album artwork
“Through the Heather” is bold and unafraid in a time where calls to action are necessary. As the world spirals back down into the fear of nuclear war, into political corruption and social divide, the politics of the Goth, New Wave, and Glam Rock movements once again are called up: alternative living, anti-consumerism, and inclusivity.
Pond frontman Nicholas Allbrook explained, “Through the Heather” was initially conceived while Pond toured Europe last year…Sometimes rock and roll is a glamorous game baby, but mainly it isn’t. Funny that such a beautiful, melancholic, searching song was born surrounded by chip packets and track pants in a van full of filthy pigs.”
“Let that be a lesson to all you young rockers ok?” Allbrook continued, “Can’t get too inspiring ya know. Gotta keep a lid on it. Chucking on the telly or making a samwich or having a nap should do it.”
Like an oil painting in creation, “mettle” is built out of shimmering layers, minor notes and raw female vocals, which beg, “it’s not over yet.” The overall tone is yearning and cathartic. On the dreampop sliding scale, it exists someplace between The Marias and Mannequin Pussy, a scratched itch balance of raging percussion and soft honey nostalgia.
The single reaches back to the much-needed genre of political music. Explicitly about media exhaustion, the song is a call and response for listeners to care again.
Beginning July, Pond is set to tour the US alongside musician Djo (Joe Keery). Full list of cities and dates are below!
