Combining his experience in indie rock and his passion for post-rock, Bradley Murray pleasantly brings a fresh sound that combines the best of both worlds.
The Finch Cycle is the music project of Wangaratta-based rock performer Bradley Murray (ex-owner of Wireless Records, who also played in the band Sunny Disposition). The songs are progressive instrumental tracks designed in an indie-rock structure that is both mechanical and multi-layered.
Released on June 21 alongside collaborators Michael Evans-Barker on drums, Brendan Bartlett on the trombone, as well as Andrew McLaughlin as the mastering engineer, Bradley has masterminded a debut album that marvellously brings beauty in its heated chaos.
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Straight from the get-go, the first track Sarah Tone In hits you with mayhem of scorching electric guitar riffs and thundering drums that get your head immediately banging. The energy and the fire that Bradley and Michael bring to the track results in a perfect opener to the project, letting you know that this is going to be one hell of a ride.
Among the highlights of the track list is James Squared which is a fantastic banger that nicely blends the two rock genres with its catchy rhythms and distorted melodies. It starts with simple picked guitar notes which act as the backbone of the whole track before eventually exploding into a noisy and powerful climactic pinnacle.
Another song worth mentioning is Parents and Friends. Bradley’s excellent guitar ability comes into the full fray here, as he showcases incredible mastery in sliding through both the aggressive highs and glittery lows of the arrangement. He also does brilliant work in composing it as a whole, bringing excellent synergy to all the different sections to make it transition elegantly from start to finish.
Right after, on Diesel Hands, both Bradley and Michael deliver a more rhythmic approach with dynamic drum parts and muted groovy guitar sections. Brendan performs great on the brass, with the trombone providing an additional layer that surrounds the core instruments beautifully throughout the song.
One thing to say about Mt. Pilot though, is that every song is just one piece of the puzzle for a diverse collection of tracks that is much more than the sum of its parts. Andrew and Bradley do impressive work in curating and mastering everything to the point that every fuzzy nut and bolt fits into the wider sound of the LP. Listen to it all the way and listen to it loud and you are sure to be blessed with a wicked post-rock experience!
Keep up with The Finch Cycle here.
This article was made in partnership with The Finch Cycle.
