Existential rumination, grief and friendship is at the heart of Levitator, the new album from Society of Beggars.
Seven years between bodies of work may as well be seven lifetimes for Society of Beggars. The Melbourne-based alternative rock band have been propelling their way through the Naarm music scene for quite a while now. Their 2017 debut EP – An EP Called Night – rumbled with the suggestion that this was a band to keep an eye out for.
Now, with the recent release of their first studio album Levitator, the rumbles have rolled into roars and Society of Beggars are only soaring upward. As high as the rock outfit are flying with the new album though, Society of Beggars stand firmly planted on the ground.
Society of Beggars
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Levitator is an emotional rollercoaster of the most epic proportions.
The passionate resonance of the album and the finesse with which it has been performed is evidence to the idea that the time between releases hasn’t just allowed the band to develop their sound and hone their craft, but also given each of them enough space to go on personal journeys of their own.
Headed by frontman Yianni Michalopoulos, with brother Jim on guitar, Dibi on drums and Zoë Alexa on bass, Society of Beggars have crafted a hauntingly beautiful record that stabs you straight in the heart.
Grief as inspiration
View this post on Instagram
After their father’s death, Yianni and Jim found themselves in a tumultuous time stricken by the intimate grief of losing a loved one. They took time to process and reflect on their father’s own musical legacy, the result of which is the creation of a collection of work that is both introspective and outward-looking.
In a mini documentary that the band have shared online, the brothers detail how “all [they] ever wanted to do was be in a band.” Surrounded by their father’s music growing up, they say that “his records, his stories, his passion – that was our childhood soundtrack.”
You can hear it in their music now, the love they hold for all of it. Driven by passion, commitment and the support of the community they have created around and within the band, they made Levitator. There’s no doubt about it – this is their best work yet.
Tracks to watch
View this post on Instagram
The album rollout has been led by the phenomenal first single, God Mode. A dark exploration of groove-laden rock, the track served up a delectable taste of the kind of authentic and brooding sounds that are waiting to be heard throughout the rest of Levitator.
While additional singles include Dance The Evil, Lick and Well of Wishes, there’s also heaps of hidden gems across Levitator. One of the standouts from the album is All The Houses Have Their Lights On. This commanding track captures the kind of energy and drive one might associate with Nick Cave. The lyrics are as powerful as the music production is sensational.
Mood Rings and Hummingbirds are other tracks from Levitator to keep an ear out for. Both sensational songs in their own right, they extend the deep, dark and layered world of explorative rock that Society of Beggars have crafted over the course of the album.
Music that cuts through the noise
View this post on Instagram
Levitator showcases a quiet reflection, which the band enhances with their ability to create space and atmosphere through instrumentation. They sing lines in a husky rumble or even speak them, adding to the album’s dynamic range. Their immense control of emotion draws listeners into a world of vivid imagery and thoughtful remarks.
It’s no surprise that the debut album from Society of Beggars is as hard-hitting as it is. The band is made up of a group of musicians who all deeply understand and respect the craft of music-making. Because of this, they’ve excelled in creating an album that cuts through all the noise of the local rock scene. Levitator is a body of work that demands to be heard.
Society of Beggars have garnered a bit of a reputation for their explosive live shows. They’ve already toured the country and played at venues all across Naarm. You can bet they know how to ignite a band room with the kind of energy listeners crave. Fingers crossed that they’ll be bringing Levitator on the road again soon.
You can listen to Society of Beggars’ newest album Levitator here.
