Album Review: New War - New War

Having already earned a name for themselves as one of Melbourne's best live acts, four-piece New War have now dropped a measured and exciting debut that demonstrates the talent this band encompasses beyond the stage.

From the urgent, repetitious coupling of drums and vocals on intro track, Game Of Love, New War quickly establish a dark undercurrent of tension that remains whispered yet unwavering across the following eight songs. The build-up on Game Of Love reflects the band's talent in a live setting, as they effortlessly create a forceful sense of urgency in the space of four minutes that leaves you on the edge of your seat.

Following track and single, Revealer, is a slower song that neatly flows through on an intrinsic, deep bass riff. Ghostwalking, an older track released by the band on a 12” last year, fits surprisingly well amongst the band's newer material. Having received considerable praise when originally released, Ghostwalking demonstrates New War's diversity and willingness to experiment. Sidestepping the guitar altogether in favour of the sharp and jutting sounds of synths, the song is intensely hypnotic and captivating.

Listening to the album in its entirety is an uneasy yet mesmerising process. By the end of eight-minute closing track Josef's Hands, it feels necessary to take a few breaths and rewind emotionally.

New War have played towards their strengths in this debut, focusing on the elements within their shows that make them so captivating and cleverly transposing them onto each recorded track. The result is a spooky and extremely mature debut by one of Australia's most exciting acts.