Australia’s Radio Free Alice are selling out everywhere. That is simply a fact. In London alone six headline shows immediately sold out and the quartet of Noah Learmonth (he/him; vocals, guitar), Jules Paradiso (he/him; guitar), Michael Phillips (he/him; bass, saxophone), and Lochie Dowd (he/him; drums) are just as prolific with their musical output, releasing their third EP in three years, Empty Words, on 20 August.
The opening, title track, was written and recorded between shows in London last year. Produced by Ewan Pearson (M83, Stella Donnelly, Depeche Mode) it is loaded with meaning, referring again to Katie first introduced in ‘Look What You’ve Done’ from 2023’s self-titled EP. There is something haunting about the cynicism of school children. Awareness of reality can indeed come at a young age but particularly in the current geopolitical climate there is a sorrow when it is so young. Perhaps the reference in part reflects the mess the adults are making. The biting guitar riff mirrors this edgy expression, and rather than pack out the track with lyrics, less is more definitely here with the vocal delivery demanding attention.
“Then came Katie like a full moon
And she told me about subliminal messaging in some kid’s cartoon
How only prisoners have time to read
So if I wanna write a novel
I gotta murder”
‘Toyota Camry’ was born out of a different time and place, produced by Peter Katis (Interpol, Bloc Party, Frightened Rabbit) in Connecticut earlier this year after Radio Free Alice played Austin’s SXSW. This track produces the most striking lyrics of the EP:
“I don’t believe that love’s a human right,
But I believe in violence, the violence of killing time.”
The pace is a more measured but it is no less striking for it. The vocal delivery is pronounced and deliberate, as if wanting to emphatically get the message across. The atmosphere here is all consuming with the lyrical hook of “tonight, tonight” echoing throughout. Radio Free Alice create a sonic landscape of their own and ‘Toyoya Camry’ builds its intensity to the final note. This is not shouty post-punk, it is more nuanced getting under the listeners skin.
Empty Words continues with‘Regret’ and ‘Chinese Restaurant’ produced by Ali Chant (Dry Cleaning, Perfume Genius, Soccer Mommy) and recorded in Bristol and London. The former gallops along at pace, the guitars and drums in unison. There is a sense of urgency, “I don’t regret anything at all” sings Noah Learmonth, his vocal dancing hither and thither along with the music. Final track ‘Chinese Restaurant’ shifts again, dominated by the crisp jangly guitar with the deep vocal of Learmonth displaying a range not heard before. It’s an intriguing track beginning with “I’ve been watching the TV screen” and later “the Birmingham 6 6 6, they didn’t do it did they“. Within this upbeat vibe Radio Free Alice present the most thought-provoking of lyrics:“I used to think that the past meant nothing, because it’s always been out of style. But now I see it’s the future that’s forgotten…”. It closes out an EP which demonstrates a progression since 2024’s Polyester, in both sound and content. There is no doubt its release will only add to the attention currently shining on the band by the nation’s gig goers.
Empty Words release day, Wednesday the 20th of August, sees the band play Windmill Brixton, London, long sold out of course, before sets on both Reading and Leeds Festival dates. These are followed by EKKO in Utrecht (27 August), Manchester Psych Festival (30 August) and Supersonic Records, Paris (5 September) before headline dates in North America. On the evidence of the music, the live performances and ticket sales, next time around the rooms are going to be bigger, much much bigger. An album next please.
For more information on Radio Free Alice please check their facebook and instagram.
