The band that rose to prominence under the name Cub Scout have proven they were not at all deterred by the forced name change that Scouts Australia demanded back in 2013, and have now completed their debut album, This Is Our Vice. After bursting out of Brisbane’s thriving indie pop scene way back in 2012, the four-piece took some time off to record, and the result is a release that eloquently expresses the notion of coming of age.
Radio listeners may be familiar with the first two singles Only Friend and I Can’t Save You which hit the airwaves earlier in the year. These singles are somewhat indicative of the rest of the album – think catchy pop beats with Cub Sport’s signature call-and-response vocals. If indie pop was what Cub Sport were going for, then they have certainly nailed it, while managing to incorporate a healthy dose of broodiness, best heard in the relationship ballad Mess Me Up.
All in all, the album is a strong offering, and shows a new maturity to Cub Sport’s musical direction. This Is Our Vice is a delight, and proves that taking time to get it right has paid off.
By Tegan Reeves
