More about: Body Type

There’s a wonderfully refreshing sense of liberation captured in Australian band Body Type’s latest album, Expired Candy. As its title suggests, each song is seamlessly infused with sweetness as well as angsty sourness.

The band, comprised of Sophie McComish, Annabel Blackman, Cecil Coleman and Georgia Wilkinson-Derums, began writing Expired Candy over two years ago. Since the release of their debut album, Everything Is Dangerous But Nothing’s Surprising, Body Type has supported bands ranging from Wolf Alice to The Pixies. Expired Candy is a notable reminder of Body Type’s unique ability to reframe the well-known narrative of 2000s angst in the context of modern rock. 

Expired Candy kicks off with a bang in opening track ‘Holding On’. The song encompasses the energy maintained throughout the rest of the album – energetic rock with an effortless 2000s aesthetic. Addictive electric guitars punctuate each line, later mirrored in ‘Summer Forever’, which begins with an old-school, edgy bass riff. There’s a delightfully careless feel throughout Body Type’s music. Raw, alto vocals ensure each track of Expired Candy is imbued with a charming air of nostalgia. Jarring harmonies make this the perfect music to bring you back to the Myspace era. It’s the kind of music that wouldn’t sound unusual playing out of an iconic, sticker-covered CD Walkman. 

That’s not to say that Expired Candy is purely a repetition of the same Avril Lavigne-inspired motifs. There’s an innately exciting post-punk twist on these universal themes of teen angst. The album doesn’t miss out on interesting lyrics at the expense of catchiness. ‘Weekend’ and ‘Creation Of Man’ embody these efforts, from the charmingly simplistic line “You make me feel like a weekend” to quirky descriptions of the latter song’s protagonist being “Self-involved with self-romance”. 

"the angst of Body Type’s recreation of the 2000s alternative rock genre would easily satisfy Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You."

Body Type have clearly stuck to what they know best, and the result is deeply satisfying and fun. At the halfway point of the album, ‘Miss The World’ shows the band at their finest. With their candid Australian intensity, the angst of Body Type’s recreation of the 2000s alternative rock genre would easily satisfy Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You. “She’s a violent preteen anarchist, your oxymoronic protagonist” proclaim Body Type, clearly conscious of both their subject and audience.

Whilst Expired Candy is impressive in its ability to maintain such explosive energy, there are definitely moments where less intense and heavy tracks could slot in well. The follow-up of ‘Miss The World’, ‘Anti-Romancer’ is jarring due to its continued intensity. This might very well be the band’s intention. Wonderfully cathartic shouts and releases of emotion emphasise that each song requires compulsive movement. 

Although no one would expect or want Body Type to create softer tracks, there are pleasant moments that contrast the otherwise consistent stream of loud angst. ‘Tread Overhead’ and ‘Beat You Up’ are more atmospheric, and notably less dominated by the band’s normally staccato vocals. This doesn’t retract from the undeniable energy and youthful spirit of the other tracks, however. If anything, these contrasting moments serve to highlight the chemistry Body Type’s four members share. 

“I’m trying to be real” sings Body Type in the refrain of ‘Shake Yer Memory’, Expired Candy’s closing track. After an intense exploration of romance and angst, it’s a stark reminder of this sophomore album’s intentions – to create music for both an older generation seeking 2000s nostalgia, and for a younger one looking for their new favourite post-punk rockstars.  

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More about: Body Type