EP Review: Chinatown Carpark ‘Beta Male’

Self-proclaimed songwriting enthusiasts Chinatown Carpark have finally cemented themselves in the Brisbane music scene with the release their debut EP ‘Beta Male’. The trio, made up of singer and bassist Sam Hickey, brother Jonno Hickey on guitar, and Chris Dyer on the drums, have gifted listeners with a well-rounded seven track EP filled with diverse indie-pop, crafty lyrics, and impressive vocals.

The EP opens with the first ever track created by the band, and frontman Sam Hickeys self-confessed favourite, We are Trivia. The track gives an insight to the rest of the release, highlighting the wide vocal range of Sam, the strong drumming by Dyer, dreamy guitar tones and phrasing by Jonno, and adventurous song structures.

“Sam shows he’s get some serious chops on the bass, while Jonno’s dual-octave guitar parts make Chinatown Carpark sound bigger than just three dudes.”

One of strengths of the indie-rock outfit is their clever songwriting and lyricism. This is exemplified in the second track Without My Phone, which is a comedic take on our obsession with the handy little devices. The song begins with a bass line that’s groovy enough to raise the ghosts of 1970’s funk. Sam Hickey takes a lazier vocal approach, while both Jonno and Dyer pick up the mic with a killer “d00-doo” harmony, providing a strong delivery of the humorous, but relevant lyrics. Musically, Sam shows he’s get some serious chops on the bass, while Jonno’s dual-octave guitar parts make Chinatown Carpark sound bigger than just three dudes.

While the EP is quite pleasing, stand out tracks Head Again and Better Off Dead are able to capture the listener and take them on a journey though a series of scintillating melodies and appeasing vocals. Head Again succeeds in paying homage to psych-rock elements of the 70s while maintaining contemporary progressive indie-rock elements.

Furthermore, equally impressive is Better Off Dead. An indie-rock tune heavy on bass, guitar, and superb drums, almost replicating the style of fellow Brisbanites Last Dinosaurs and The Cairos. It’s in this song Sam’s bass playing becomes so enticing that those who listen won’t be able to help but to become slaves to the rhythm. This track will keep new fans coming back to this EP for months, it’s that good!

“Japan takes a more delicate approach, with soothing vocals and raw lyrics, putting listeners in a fly-on-the-wall situation, witnessing a failed romance.”

Further down the EP, the mood takes a turn, showing a more emotional side to the bands song writing and delivery. Japan takes a more delicate approach, with soothing vocals and raw lyrics, putting listeners in a fly-on-the-wall situation, witnessing a failed romance. Similarly, Alone continues the raw, more personal lyrics. However, on this occasion the track features a heavier drum and guitar presence. Once again harmonies appear on both tracks, showing no member is shy stepping up to the microphone.

The final song of the EP Centrelink almost wasn’t included in the final release because of its dissimilarity from the bands overall sound. Chinatown Carpark manage to successfully blend a subtle taste of Aussie hip-hop over an indie-rock tune. The song itself is a parody of the 9-to-5 job, and instead ponders a life of welfare, “I don’t care who you are, I enjoy living like this/ Centrelink ’til I die I get paid on Tuesday week”. Although this track distances itself from the overall sound of the band, its inclusion on the EP highlights the band’s diversity, with positive signs of further progression.

Check out the full EP HERE on Chinatown Carpark’s Bandcamp.