Australia’s Shady Nasty have released their debut album TREK. Enlisting the production work of The Presets’ Kim Moyes, the classically trained musicians have produced a vivid portrait of the reality of what it takes to reach any goal or destination, set against the backdrop of the challenges of living in Sydney. Speaking on the record’s production, Kim Moyes shares:
“Hard to draw comparisons with a band like Shady Nasty. They hold a unique place in Sydney and have built something they can truly claim as their own. It’s a universe that is inspired, oftentimes challenging, and yet somehow always fulfilling. Their commitment to developing their own sonic skid-mark combined with such a brilliant visual identity—an uncompromising pursuit of individuality—is undeniable. I’m proud to have played a small part in this chapter of their story. Love those guys.”
Opener ‘G-SHOCK’ is a striking start to the album, painting a picture of their contemporary life. The deadpan delivery and smooth flows accompanied by pounding beats grab attention early. ‘HARDSTYLE’ follows, with its echoey guitars creating an atmosphere reflecting the introspective themes of the track. Just listen closely to the lyrics. The slowed drum beats layer beautifully with the guitars. The vocals have a slight Eastern twang at times, but it’s the outro that is so striking. Slowed down and thus drawn out they seem to suggest intensity and anxiety. Trying to work out just how to survive in these tumultuous times can take a toll.
A growing rift between old friends lies at the heart of ‘HESITANCE’. Navigating such difficult situations can lead to heartache, but it’s only in doing so, of letting go of the past can the freedom to move forward be achieved. There is a lightness in the vocals on ‘HESITANCE’, the catharsis process of music can lead to an acceptance of just what has to happen next. On ‘SCREWDRIVA’ the lyrics allude to Australia’s franchise Mad Max: “Got chrome on my lips / Got chrome on the whip / Got blood on my wrist / Brah I swear the screwdriva musta slipped”. The pace is purposely slowed right down, which creates a hypnotic effect, the repetition adding to the mesmeric nature of the track. It’s a bold move as the expectation is for more bounce but that is just not appropriate here.
The short sharp interlude ‘AE86’ rewrites the legend of the Toyota Sprinter car made popular by the Initial D anime series. It opens with shimmering beats and lightness of touch on cymbals but soon gives way to a track full of tension. The deadpan delivery and references to “sitting under palm trees” and “baby showers” seem incongruous, suggesting that the supposed signs of “making it” in life are not true signs of happiness. TREK’s most forlorn moment is ‘I.D.W.L. (I Don’t Wanna Lose)’ bound by Shady’s heaviest auto-tune armour and beating-heart percussion to reveal a psyche burdened by the expectations of loved ones. Such pressures can become unbearable if not kept in check. Self-care is of paramount importance and this dilemma is beautifully explored on this track.
The heaviest song on TREK is ‘CAREDBRAH’. “[We were] keen to highlight a niche we felt had been overlooked or unappreciated; one melded by digital obsessions, modding cars and immigrant parents,” Shady Nasty recently told VICE in an interview. This is perhaps most true of ‘CAREDBRAH’, with it’s dense soundscape, highlighting the oppressive force of trying to keep up with the rat race leading to, amongst other things, sleepless nights.
TREK closes with ‘2008’ , highlighting a desire for a less globally networked time when suburbia was the fabric of our social lives. Real time connection has been replaced with online communications and this loss of in-person interaction is heartbreaking. This is explored on ‘2008’ within looping beats and lyrics which are delivered in a thoughtful mode. There is a longing here for different times, before the internet, mobile phones and social media. “Let me close my eyes and go back”. Indeed.
Kevin Stathis (vocals, guitar), Haydn Green (Bass) and Luca Watson (drums) are Shady Nasty and they have stated the following:
“It’s important to us that people might glimpse a fresh vision of what living in Sydney can look like today – particularly, as our online and offline worlds are further enmeshed.”
Contemporary life is littered with examples of material possessions which are supposed to represent success. On TREK Shady Nasty ask “What if pursuing something at any cost might actually land you nowhere at all?” These sentiments are true of not just the city of Sydney, but can be applied globally. This question is the thread that runs through the album. If only it could be explored in more depth in contemporary society.
Review: 7 out of 10
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