Restless – We Are Restless (self-release)
We Are Restless is the first release from Berlin-based Brazilian / Australian noise-punk duo Restless that makes the personal political against a backdrop of furious beats and catalysing riffs.
Artist: Restless
Track: We Are Restless
Label: Self-released
Released: 4 September 2024
Find it: Bandcamp
Having played their first dates in Berlin in early summer Brazilian / Australian noise-punk duo Restless have now released a demo in the form of 5-tracks making the opening statement, We Are Restless.
Loud, fast, and heavy this collection is instantly catchy and channels rage collectively and creatively. There is melody and intricate rhythms making up this barrage of noise, becoming a raging-yet-catchy force.
Formed of Adriessa Souza (Anti-Bodies) and Eilis Frawley (most recently with Kara Delik) not only do they give you the most brilliantly rush with the urgency of the tracks they say, “Lyrically the personal becomes political covering topics of pain, growth, living far away from loved ones.” Hard feelings met head on this demo.
These are short-sharp shocks of songs, with all clocking in under 3 minutes. This is the feeling of bumping against bodies, caught in the light-hot pit as this angry sound incites not aggression but a build of catalysing energy in the collective. This is to be the centre of your own storm but sending and receiving sparks of solidarity from all around you.
While there is much fuzz, and some dense moments within these tracks, it is the masterful application of the details which make this not just great noise punk but a really exciting opening statement from the band. Percussion delights, the vocals switch between primal scream dragged from the very depths to almost spoken word, rhythms at a pace you are sure can’t be maintained and yet is, to the howling saxophone spinning you off-balance.
The best noise you could hope for – and this is only the start for Restless.
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We Are Restless by Restless is out digitally now on Bandcamp.
Find Restless: Bandcamp | Instagram
Live dates in Brazil are scheduled for September 2024 – check the band’s Instagram for latest dates.
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Sarah Lay
A long-standing music journalist she's also co-founder of independent record label Reckless Yes, an author of novels, and when not messing around with words and music, a digital strategist.
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