We are very honoured to bring you an exclusive early listen to the new single from Naarm/Melbourne instrumental dance exponents Intermood.
I’ve always said that instrumental bands have to bring something quite special to the table – an ability to create an immersive story purely through the music. From the power and majesty of Vivaldi through to the heart thumping dynamics of Mogwai, from the indelible retro pop of Air through to the dynamism of jazz bands like The Necks and D.I.G. – there have always been examples of instrumental bands that exude a powerful force that dispel with the need for vocals. Intermood have achieved that very difficult ascent to the peak with their single ‘Casuarina’.
A sonic watery wash introduces the tune before an enigmatic piano carves out an hypnotic riff over delicately framed cymbals as the song slowly builds up, instrument by instrument, to a jazzy loquacious flow that seems to soar like an albatross over the oceans. There is a whiff of sea air, a dreamy whirl that sets the pulse racing. A flute creates a sonic eddy in the water as an intermission, a pause, a diversion, before normal service resumes. It’s a very visual tune that captures an element of the coastal geography of Australia.
The song’s title is apparently inspired from the band’s real life Casuarina tree which thrives above their recording studio.The Casuarina is a native Australian tree, and this track seems to gather up a distinctive antipodean feel in every note:
‘Casuarina’ is set free tomorrow (12 February 2025) and will be available to download and stream via all the usual sources (see here). The single heralds the release of the ‘Casuarina’ EP via Swiss label Stone Pixels on Friday, 14 March 2025.
Feature Photograph: Gracie Woodsford
