Brisbane has turned into what Perth was 10 years ago in terms of rolling out quality bands on the regular. The Creases are one of the latest bands to make waves outside of their native Queensland. This year they played Laneway Festival via triple j unearthed and have recently brought out the EP Gradient.
The lead single Static Lines kicks things off in fine fashion. There’s a laconic, almost lethargic charm about the way the song ticks along. It’s easy listening without being anything close to boring. The track picks up pace and accelerates as it goes along and in the end, demands attention. It sure is a great way to start off the five-track release.
How Long ’Til I Know keeps the good run going; the laid back nature of the song’s sound feels slightly ‘70s just with a more modern production value. Fall Guy is a little more stripped back, and after three songs have played, it’s all that’s needed to know that this is a band that has a unique sound and going to going places.
Do You Know Why has a distinctly different vocal style, reminiscent of The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas’ unmistakable trademark sound. Title track Gradient closes out the EP nicely. It’s probably not the strongest track on the release, but that’s why it’s at the end. That withstanding, it’s still a really good track, it’s just missing that hook that grabs you and makes you really remember it.
Gradient is a genuinely exciting release from The Creases. Let’s hope they can push on and deliver a really solid debut album when the time comes.
BY ALEXANDER CROWDEN
Best Track: How Long ’Til I Know
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In A Word: Promising
