Expatriate may be Australian based, however they seem to always fall by the wayside in favour of other local acts. The band kicked it into full gear with their first LP "In The Midst of This", which successfully blended an indie-pop sound with a taste of electro. It netted them a devoted fan-base here at home, but ultimately Europe became their stomping ground.
Now the band is back with the sophomore effort "Hyper/Hearts", delivering an excellent blend of post-punk depression and upbeat pop melodies. The opening track "Miracle Mile" sets the tone for the entire album, delivering cutthroat bass lines that drive the action as the synthesizers swell in the background.
"Dangerous Stranger" is channeling bands like The Smith, the guitars crawling along with a slow drawl before exploding into a chorus that really drives the song home.
Standout track on the album is definitely "Skool" which features a downtrodden guitar lick backed by a truly post-punk synth line that would sound right at home with Joy Division.
Well worth a listen for anyone who likes some post-punk tunes, or anyone looking to discover one of Australia's hidden gems.
3.5/5