Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – Fronzoli – Champagne and Candy Vinyl, What Reality? Records, 2023
The Australian psych-rock five-piece have been working on Fronzoli – a title meaning ‘something unnecessary added as decoration’ – since the release of 2022’s Night Gnomes. ‘Dilemma Us From Evil’ is the latest single to be released from the record and is a prime example of Psychedelic Porn Crumpets’ mind-bending blend of heavy melodic guitars and harmonic lyrics and eccentric songwriting oeuvre. It follows the release of singles ‘Nootmare (K-I-L-L-I-N-G) Meow!’ and ‘(I’m a Kadaver) Alakazam’, which were released earlier this year.
The record surges with the Perth-based band’s over-the-top, glittery sound, drawing influences from the likes of classic rock behemoths Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, as well as electronic experimental jazz. These rock influences are firmly on display in Fronzoli, with thrashy grunge tracks such as ‘Sierra Nevada’ and the frenetic ‘Hot! Heat! Wow! Hot!’ showcasing the band’s hyperactive guitars and offbeat lyrics. The band, who started out as friends, before coming together to pride themselves on their joyful and unpolished messiness when it comes to songwriting and production. “This record is my favourite creation to date,” says songwriter and frontman Jack McEwan, “Every nuance has been discussed, slandered and carefully contorted into place, it sporadically colours outside the lines, so you’re left with these extraverted squiggles.”
Nootmare (K.i.l.l.i.n.g) Meow!
(I'm a Kadavar) Alakazam
Dilemma Us from Evil
Cpt. Gravity Mouse Welcome
All Aboard the S.s.sinker
Hot! Heat! Wow! Hot!
Sierra Nevada
Illusions of Grandeur
Pillhouse (Papa Moonshine)
Mr & Mrs Misanthrope