Dust - 'restless'
Aussie post-punk outfit entrap sorrow in soulful basslines and grim messaging to deliver another enriching and unforgettable experience.
Dust have returned yet again in anticipation of their upcoming Oct 10th release “The Sky Is Falling” and they sail back onto the scene by
burying a rich and violently groovy bassline in the foundations and layering it with late-night jazz bar saxophone to create a punctual and mellow atmosphere around a beautifully woeful melody. This immediate change in mood dims the lights on their usually chaotic and emphatic post-punk sound, clawing it back to the basics: raw and brutal instrumentation, coupled with crumbling and emotive vocals. This looming and threateningly smooth track steers off the rails and into the listener's subconscious. Every layer adds a luscious groove to the fold, allowing the track to breathe while keeping this dark and oppressive atmosphere that is dialled in and inescapable.
Dust is slowly becoming one of Australia's most prominent post-punk bands and is well and truly holding their own, touring with the likes of Interpol. This tour has undoubtedly allowed the five-piece outfit to refine their skills and explore their instruments, as everything they have produced in the aftermath of this tour has been exceptional and on a level above their previous releases. To be able to switch from a breakneck and perfectly clustered sound into a linear and soulful musical experience is not easily done, and you would be hard-pressed to find another example as seamless as this one. Every note, every word, every sound is delivered with soulful expression and visceral power, all floating along the notes of a saxophone. This addition of brass is nothing short of perfect and is something I truly hope to see return from this band.
Seeing musicians in this space getting experimental and allowing their more brooding and emotional influences to breathe is something I will forever appreciate, and this case is no different. This heart-on-your-sleeve attitude displayed by the entirety of the band creates a perfect world to get lost in as you listen. ”Restless” is simply impossible to turn off and is a true reflection of how well the band have cut their teeth in the last year, be it on tour, at festivals or in the studio, Dust are consistently powering forwards and honing their craft in expert fashion and i cannot wait to dive into the rest of the album and find solace in the jagged and multifaceted sound they are building.
Words by Josh Pook
