DARLING. is the bedroom project of Caitlin Finn (ex-Dorothy and Dog) and Joel Glazebrook (Edith Thomas Furey – a long time favourite here at Backseat Mafia), and features music that has a dark post-punk edge. They have just released a double single that showcases their brooding enigmatic sound: an edgy and goth-tinged sonic beast that prowls and paces in the half-light. It’s an intriguing underground soundscape antithetical to the blindingly bright Queensland sunshine.
Like some ancient madrigal, ‘Illusions’ has a quiet reflective pace and dreamy lyrics that evokes a sense of Brisbane’s aquatic environment, yet cloaked in an ominous drone:
Sweet sand under linen and skin
Waves of death over life within
Salty, brows and lips
Ocean black, calling my name
In contract, ‘Isolating’ has a jagged edge with a prowling restless bass and sharp crystalline guitars that carve their way into the air. Finn’s vocals are urgent and expressive with a mysterious expression as she repeatedly asks where are you? under scything, excoriating guitars.
The result has something of the night about it: brooding and ominous like thunderous clouds drifting in over the horizon, accompanied by a delicious Antarctic chill.
The double single is available though the magnificent 4000 Records here or though the link above.
You can catch DARLING. in the flesh launching the release on 12 May at the fittingly named Netherworld along with Sacred Hearts – details and tickets here.
Feature Photograph: Sarah Gunn
