Single of the Week: Tropical Fuck Storm // Soft Power
Comprised of members of The Drones and High Tension, new Aussie outfit Tropical Fuck Storm commands a whirlwind of psych-infused art punk, delivered with a kick to the teeth only Gareth Liddiard – The Drones infamous founding member - could muster.
“Soft Power” is the latest single from the supergroup, dripping with grimy distortion and sporadic guitar bends. A simple yet hard-hitting kick drum and snare beat trudges through the verses, giving way to a cacophony of cymbals at the chorus. Here, Fiona Kitschin’s almost childlike vocals form the antithesis to Liddiard’s guttural groans, comparable to the strident playfulness of Alexis Krauss (frontwoman of fellow noise-rockers Sleigh Bells.)
The combination of a phrase of frantic guitar picking and raucous cymbal hits in the third verse brings the chaos of “Soft Power” to a peak; and then everything is suddenly stripped away. We’re left with ominous ambience and a twisted music box-like melody, allowing Liddiard’s gratingly sardonic lyrics to shine through: “The downside is we’re all about to get royally fucked/The upside is we’re all about to get screwed.” As the song draws to a close, he leaves us with a deliciously unsettling mantra – “Scarecrow I’m gonna miss you most” – a lyric that will stay with you long after you hit stop.
Watch the spooky video for “Soft Power” below:
