Sydney psychedelic rock favourites Drop City are back with Alive, their first new single in 30 years, out today via Cheersquad Records & Tapes.
Alive is delightful – it’s a fun-loving, sun-drenched anthem with an energetic melody and psychedelic rhythm, powered by the bass and drums. Drop City produced the song alongside Liam Judson, who’s known for his work with Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and Cloud Control.
Opening up about the band’s surprise new single, singer Matthew J. Tow said, “This one had been kicking around for a bit.
“It was originally inspired by a track I was working on with Collin Hegna from The Brian Jonestown Massacre. I decided to create something new from the skeleton. I wanted to get cosmic, like most songs throughout my life; if they aren’t about someone, they’re usually some sort of big cosmic conundrum.”
Check out the animated music video below.
Discussing the group’s first major release in decades, Tow commented, “It’s all mad, it’s all weird, all of the time... So, what do you do? Get the band back together again; that’s what!”
The release of Alive follows the band’s shock reunion last year, resulting in two intimate shows at The Corner Hotel in Melbourne and the Factory Theatre in Sydney celebrating the 30th anniversary of their 1995 album, Magic Transistor Radio.
Fronted by the enigmatic singer/guitarist and songwriter Matthew J. Tow—who later went on to join The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Lovetones—Drop City originally released four albums throughout the 90s.
The band was revered, touring Australia, Canada, and the United States, performing at the Big Day Out and Meredith festivals, and sharing the stage with iconic bands including The Stone Roses, Stereolab, and Manic Street Preachers. Internationally, fans heard their music via Sub Pop Records.
Drop City’s reunion shows last year sold out and drew rave reviews. The reissue of Magic Transistor Radio debuted at #44 on the ARIA Australian Artist Albums Chart and #9 on the AIR Independent Albums Chart.
