Live Review: Methyl Ethel, Jaala

Jaala had a hard hold on our ears last year with the unique chaos of their joyously energetic pop tunes. Tonight's show captures the wild energy of their album Hard Hold, which reportedly was recorded in just a week and has a very live edge to it. Wilfully experimental, Jaala's pop hooks exist within playful-but-wilfully experimental arrangements. A certain old school punk sensibility holds everything together as the band apply a kind of math-rock logic to everything from pop to funk to modern jazz. At times it feels angular and a little jagged, but Jaala's quirky vocals are another charming point of focus that smooths out their eclectic mix. Another hugely inventive band from Melbourne whose star is most definitely on the rise.

While their name brings to mind the kind of little old lady who would have once belonged to the blue rinse set, Methyl Ethel are a cracking three-piece from Perth. This year they join a growing list of illustrious Aussies, who have been signed to independent record label 4AD. Their sound quite studiously brings together elements of '80s post punk and dream pop over fidgety, indie-dance beats that engage punters in head-nodding and rather coolly wriggling in time to the music. Working the PA to their advantage, the noise they produce is deep, richly textured and pretty flawless. Methyl Ethel harness the elemental force of a three-piece but it's frontman Jake Webb who drives proceedings. It's his guitar, which is fed through a multitude of effects, and somewhat androgynous falsetto that cuts through the mix and leads the way. Webb seemingly loses himself in performance, allowing a certain eccentricity to shine. "Got this number in Paris," he boasts, referring to the trench coat he's wearing. "It's a bit hot in this but, you know, rock'n'roll," he says, eliciting a giggle from the crowd. Also Gesellschaft is one of many highlights in a setlist showcasing Oh Inhuman Spectacle. The saxophone on Twilight Driving deals a sophisticated, late-night vibe that delights the crowd. There are no encores for this dreamy set of pop tunes, but the crowd is not expecting it and leave with grins of satisfaction on their faces.