The Thousands

It’s odd to be calling this review an exclusive when the music of Royal Headache is so thoroughly inclusive. From the first ragged guitar line on opener ‘Never Again’, the debut album by Sydney’s finest purveyors of scrappy, imperfect power pop is a celebration of fun times and awkward dance moves.

Whereas nowadays most garage rock is about as exciting as a kitchen drawer full of plastic bags, Royal Headache’s loose and exuberant take on the genre is a jigging, arms in the air party. In a fridge magnet word Royal Headache is ‘hones’.

Songs such as ‘Honey Joy’ and ‘Really in Love’ are about romance and girls; the band’s most well known song (included here) is called just that – ‘Girls’. But Shogun is a straight-shooting lyricist. When he sings “I’ve been alone and I’d take you home but my bedroom smells like cum / I could take you out, it’d be my shout, but you’d find that I’m no fun” on ‘Down the Lane’ well… it doesn’t get any more ‘hones’.

Recording, shared by Mikey Young (Eddy Current Suppression Ring / Total Control) and Owen Penglis (Straight Arrows) taps into and captures the wild abandon of the band’s live show. One of the most hotly anticipated Australian albums in a long time doesn’t disappoint. Sorry to any band releasing a record between now and the end of the year. You won’t beat this!