More about: Loose Fit

While influenced by classic UK post-punk, the New York no-wave scene, and helpings of funk and dub too, Australian four-piece Loose Fit have a decidedly unique sound, and they prove it loud and clear on debut album Social Graces. 

Vocalist Anna Langdon, who first met drummer Kaylene Milner in fashion school, is also the band’s saxophonist, the instrument making fairly regular appearances across the album, while Max Edgar and Richard Martin take care of guitar and bass respectively. 

On their more minimalist tracks, they can resemble a more melodic Sleaford Mods, whereas when they go for a fuller sound it’s part Sonic Youth, part Public Image Ltd, part something else – while they might have a number of influences, there’s something unique about their sound too. 

‘Cool Change’ is effortlessly, well, cool. It’s an instant transportation to late-1970s New York via Sydney, while the groovy ‘Stupid Drama’ feels like it could have been a ska hit in a different life, with a saxophone solo, and it’s undoubtedly one of the most fun tracks on the album. It’s followed by the pulsating ‘Cut Your Teeth’, which starts with foreboding bass before Langdon’s wonderfully insouciant vocals come in.

From the explosive, boisterous opener ‘Social Graces’ and ‘Best Face Forward’, with its broody, bluesy bassline, to the steady, driving rock of album closer ‘Potential Things’, there’s always something going on, and there’s very little in the way of filler. ‘Best Face Forward’, at almost five minutes in length, is more of a slow burner than many of the tracks here, but perhaps one of the most rewarding. 

‘On Land’ follows, and it’s a sprawling piece of alt-rock – as the album goes on, the tracks get more interesting, and it’s difficult to predict where each one will go. 

There’s a clear DIY feel and aesthetic interwoven throughout the album, something perhaps unsurprising when considering the band’s influences. Langdon even designed the album artwork, which is certainly memorable and in many ways is the perfect match for the music. 

“Throw caution to the wind/And wind up with nothing” they say on ‘Exhale’, around halfway through Social Graces. However, it feels like they’ve had the opposite result with what is a promising debut effort. 

Social Graces is out now. 

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More about: Loose Fit