Album Review: Hockey Dad - 'Brain Candy'

Hockey Dad’s third album ‘Brain Candy’ sonically picks up where the Australian post-punk duo previously left off.

But a little bit older, and with help from veteran producer John Goodmanson, they offer a little less friction and a little more acceptance.

Single ‘I Missed Out’ is an early highlight of the album. One of the most played tracks on Sydney’s radio station triple j, it is a perfect showcase for their sound.

When vocalist Zach Stephenson sings “I’m a germaphobe, germaphobe”, the refrain feels apt in the age of Covid fear, but it will remain a vital track when the world is unlocked and live shows return, placing Hockey Dad back on their natural stages. 

It’s followed by ‘Itch’, a slower, more mature song, wrapped up in epic Muse-style vibes. At close to five minutes, it’s the longest track on a record that otherwise clings tightly to punchy three-minute pop/rock songs.

Billy Fleming’s crashing drums on the gorgeous ‘Tell Me What You Want’ make it an anthem in the making, while Zach’s guitar carries tracks like ‘Dole Brother’ to the heights.

The closing two songs ‘Reno’ and ‘Looking Forward To The Change’ reflect how much of Hockey Dad’s previous antagonism has died away a little. With a line like “take off the restraints / looking forward to the change”, it’s clear they’re distancing themselves from the ‘Simpsons’ fighting game where they got their band name and edging towards something like adulthood.

While Aussie acts like Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett are exerting their world dominance, this pair are proving that, with an album of contrasts, that trend could continue into the 2020s. The big reference points are an ambition that Hockey Dad can aim for, not something that should hold them down. 

Words by Samuel Draper

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