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Australia
Rock · 2023

Australia

The Shins

A caffeinated burst of jangle-pop that pairs a driving, optimistic rhythm with surrealist lyrics about the crushing weight of domestic expectations.

January 23, 2023 · Transgressive Records

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Australia is a masterclass in the Shins' signature brand of high-octane indie pop, where the music's outward cheerfulness acts as a Trojan horse for existential unease. The track is built on a foundation of propulsive, jangling guitars and a rhythm section that feels like it's constantly leaning forward, threatening to break into a full sprint. James Mercer’s vocals are at their most elastic here, leaping into a crystalline falsetto that feels both celebratory and desperate. It is a sound that captures the frantic energy of modern life while simultaneously critiquing it.

Moments Worth Listening For
The explosive entry of the drums and the bright, interlocking guitar riff that kicks off the track.
James Mercer's soaring falsetto leap during the 'born to be a worker' line in the chorus.
The bridge where the instrumentation thins out slightly, allowing the layered 'la-la-la' harmonies to take center stage.
Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Australia sound next to the rest of The Shins's catalogue?

Triumphant+4.0σ

Triumphant saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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