We are very honoured to premiere the debut single from duo The Darling Hearts with the amusingly titled ‘Jerk Face’. The Darling Hearts are a meeting of two musicians from the creative hub of the inner west of Sydney, with a track record: Maia Jelavic (Maia Marsh, Motion Sickness, Good Side) and Jordan Wilson (Georgia Fair). They have combined their significant expertise in this new project to great effect.
‘Jerk Face’ has a jingle jangle sparkle with a cinematic breadth that is more expansive than the blue skies over Australia, and with a shimmering antipodean flavour. There is undeniably a thread of alt country twang in the delivery but the scope of the track is much wider with its inherent pop sensibilities and indie insouciance. Crystalline guitars underpin the vocals with the gorgeous layered harmonies and melodies.
The thread of melancholy (an essential ingredient, as I always say, to any pop song) reflects the themes. The band says of the track:
There is the heartache of separation, a beloved pet’s passing, but most of all there is unity in the face of adversity, with a shoulder to lean on.
This is eloquently expressed in the lyrics which are a paean to resilience born from adversity and the vicissitudes of life:
Sad to hear bout’ your cats
And your parents being jerks
But I know how much they love ya
Yeah I know how much you’re worth
It is an achingly beautiful track that has within its genetic code traces of Kurt Vile and Australia’s own Paul Kelly:
Another fine example of what I call the Marrickville Sound, this is quite a stunning debut. ‘Jerk Face’ is out on Friday, 18 October 2024 and you can presave for downloading and streaming here.
