SINGLE PREMIERE: Greenthief - Hope

Melbourne rockers Greenthief are continuing the lead-up to their forthcoming third album, Mirror Lies, with new single Hope.

Described by singer Julian Schweitzer as "a commentary of today’s political landscape, highlighting the existence of hope regardless how dark the times may seem", the song kicks off with frantic hi-hats and wah-laden distortion before pulling back its groove to allow the frontman ample room to show off his vocal chops.

There are elements of retro hard rock atop the song's eminently danceable vibe and, although the band say they've made a departure from the more psychedelic bent of their earlier sound, there are still some pretty sonically adventurous moments throughout.

That throwback air didn't just carry in the writing and performance of the song, but its creation too — to lay the track down, Greenthief utilised a 1970s-model Neve console at Melbourne's Hothouse Studios. From recording to mixing and production, the band took a distinctly DIY tack to bringing Hope to life, a path that has allowed them to assert a greater degree of control over their sound and style.

Mirror Lies — the follow-up to last year's second full-length, Tremors — will be released later this year.

The band will be setting off in support of the single with a three-date tour this August, taking in shows in Melbourne (a dual single launch with their mates in Dear Thieves) as well as Adelaide and Sydney.

See theGuide for all the details.