We’ve waxed lyrical about the extraordinary first two singles from Gold Coast (Yugambeh/Kombumerri)-based six-piece Selve, and the delivery of pulse quickening music continues unabated with their third single ‘Strange Romance’. It confirms the emergence of one of the most exciting antipodean bands of the era. And it only serves notice that the band’s forthcoming album ‘Breaking Into Heaven’ is going to be one of the releases of the year.
With a fuzzy bass throbbing underneath like a vein providing blood flow, the track is funky and assured, brim full of swagger and attitude, delivered with an arched eyebrow, hand on hip and a glint of something wicked and licentious in the eye. Try not to tap those feet: the delivery is infectious and likely to generate a St Vitus’ dance syndrome in the most indolent person.
Singer Loki Liddle eloquently explains the themes and influences of the track::
‘Strange Romance’ is an interstellar voyage that takes the animal within on a trip to outer space. We wanted to showcase the depth and dimension that comes from the great legacy of First Nations dance. Inspired by our time flying around the world in the creation of this album, from Broome to France, London to Berlin and back, we strove to really just make a super badass EDM rock banger that communicated the electrifying experiencing that we were having, with the goal of spreading that feeling like wildfire. Dance has been at the heart of our communities since time immemorial, so it seemed only natural to wed the song to it, and hand this one largely over to the incredible Karul Projects – who we were lucky enough to work with again – to conjure the spine tingling magic that the song called for, and take it 10 levels further. It’s of course tied to the SCU – with our astronaut character running through cane fields, cutting between a dark void and green fields to mirror the strange magic of the song. As to how exactly it all fits in, you’ll just have to wait to see the other videos! In the meantime, we hope you catch the Strange Romance bug.
The lyrics capture this louche, slightly surreal aura:
Smoking cigarettes in heaven
With the answer on my lips
Then I pinned you to the wall
With an apocalyptic kiss
Well I woke up in a coffin
On an interstellar ship
You know I made it through the rapture
Cause I gotta scratch that itch
The track is accompanied by an evocative video that continues themes from the first two singles.
Co-directed by Liddle and collaborator Joshua Tate (Kate Miller-Heidke and Jaguar Jonze, Sycco, Mia Wray) it was shot on Bundjalung Country that further expands the band’s SCU (Selve Cinematic Universe) as an unanswered non-linear drama surrounding Liddle’s space-suited-up astronaut character introduced via videos for ‘Breaking Into Heaven‘ and ‘Loki Horror Picture Show‘. All drawn from Liddle’s forthcoming poetry book Damn Good Television (due 2026) which continues to unfold, seeing him sprint through the green cane fields while reality bends and shifts into a realm where dance is everything. The clip is made “120% deadlier” by showcasing the power of First Nations dance via the work of Karul Projects – who also appeared in the ‘Breaking Into Heaven‘ clip and the immersive visuals at Selve’s exclusive live album preview last week, which featured the band playing the album in full alongside the 33-piece Australian Session Orchestra at BLEACH* Festival – and is stylistically inspired by 00s visuals from The Presets, The Prodigy & Chemical Brothers.
As with their earlier singles, this induces a heady, unmitigated feeling of joy that gladdens even the most gothic-tinged and miserable heart (such as myself).
‘Breaking Into Heaven’ is the first full-length album to ever be recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios by an Aboriginal artist. It is anchored and inspired by Nina Simone’s words that ‘The people who built their heaven on your land, are telling you that yours is in the sky – a powerful testament of First Nations stories, music and culture breaking into the spaces that have been stolen or denied to them and traditionally reserved for the select few.
Out on 12 September – and certainly one of my most anticipated releases for the year – you can pre-order the album here.
Tickets for Selve’s official ‘Breaking Into Heaven’ album tour are available with most dates boasting free entry.
Tour dates – tickets available here
*most album tour dates free entry
Thursday, 14 August – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse – Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country QLD *^
Friday, 26 September – Princess Theatre – Meanjin/Brisbane, Turrbal & Jagera Country QLD *^^
Saturday, 27 September – Gloucester Country Club – Gloucester, Guringai Watoo & Kabook Country NSW
Thursday, 2 October – The Lass O’Gowrie Hotel – Mulubinba/Newcastle, Awabakal & Worimi Country NSW
Saturday, 4 October – Vic On The Park – Eora/Sydney, Gadigal Country NSW
Friday, 10 October – Felons Barrel Hall – Meanjin/Brisbane, Turrbal & Jagera Country QLD ^^^
Saturday, 11 October – Mo’s Desert Clubhouse 6th Birthday – Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country QLD *
Friday, 7 November – Lulie Tavern – Naarm/Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country VIC
Friday, 14 November – Elsewhere – Gold Coast, Yugambeh Country QLD
* non album tour date
^ with Velvet Trip
^^ with Winston Surfshirt
^^^ with J.B Paterson
Feature Photograph: Joshua Tate
