Rinse – the nom de plume of the multi-talented Joe Agius is a firm favourite of ours here at Backseat Mafia’s antipodean outpost – his 2021 EP ‘Wherever I Am’ has a permanent placement on the turntable. Creating a palpable frisson of excitement here in the offices, Rinse has just announced a follow up EP entitled ‘Sinker’ due for release on 2 November 2023 along with a live launch. And, to add icing to the cake, a new single ‘Does The World Even See Me?’ has been unveiled. And the simple answer is if it doesn’t, it should.
‘Does The World Even See Me?’ continues in the same vein as his post EP releases with a more electronic studio-centered feel, and yet there is a return to the dream pop anthemic quality from before. An arching chorus and a thread of exquisite melancholy that weaves its way through creates something quite magnificent and statuesque. There is certainly a New Order thrum in the delivery with the roaming ambulatory guitar riffs and synths.
As can be expected from Rinse, the track is cinematic and shimmering, with an euphoric, anthemic pulse-quickening ending. This only goes to confirm that Rinse is an important artist that needs greater recognition.
The accompanying video is a bright haze of lights and motion, capturing Agius as a lone, often static figure amongst the colour and movement:
The single is out now and available to download and stream through all the usual download and streaming sites (or so I’m told) and try here as well.
Rinse will be making an appearance in Melbourne on Friday, 17 November at Upstairs at the Tote with Adored to launch the forthcoming EP – tickets available here. You can also catch the band as part of the SILO event headed by RVG in Brisbane on Friday, 3 November 2023 – tickets here.
At some point, you will be able to pre-order the EP here.
