EP Review: The Lulu Raes’ Debut EP ‘All Our Parents Are Divorced’

Sydney pop ’n’ rollers The Lulu Raes have dropped their debut EP ‘All Our Parents are Divorced’, and they are going to have you shaking it on the floor all the way through the family court proceedings.

The EP is a five-track release that combines two previous singles, Burnout and Infinite Paradise (Sail Away), as well as three new songs that will be sure to find their way onto your “Bangers & Mosh” playlist. The band have always cited outfits like The Strokes, The Beatles and Oasis as influences and those sounds are definitely noticeable, but there is a strong sense the the Lulu Raes have taken it in their own direction.

‘All Our Parents Are Divorced’ kicks off with the band’s latest single , Never Leave. This track starts off sounding like a slow-burner, with acoustic guitars softly chiming along, however it soon steps it up a gear, stomping on the effects pedal through the verses. Swirling sounds create a a textured background for an uplifting vocal break at the beginning of the chorus. Vocal harmonies and a super catchy chorus melody will have you humming or singing along with confidence before the song ends. Speaking with AAA Backstage, Angus from the band stated that the track started life as a purely acoustic number, and you can definitely feel that vibe, however, the added layers bring that signature Lulu Raes sense of fun.

The next track is another of band’s singles, Infinite Paradise (Sail Away), going in the opposite direction sonically. Where Never Leave has elements of being built from an acoustic beginning, Infinite Paradise sounds like it was crafted with all the layers in mind. Acoustic and electric guitars, popping bass lines, and flute-like synthesisers are all wrapped up neatly in a bow of fun tambourine and vocal harmonies. There have been a number of comparisons between this track and some early work from Foster The People, and you can feel those influences, but it’s mixed in well with a healthy dose of the Lulu Raes more laid back attitude.

The first totally new track, My Mid 20s, is one of the most danceable tracks on the EP with its four-on-the-floor drum beat and faster percussion sounds. Electric guitar riffs and reggae strumming patterns are all over the verses to get the tempo up early in the track, but, just when you think that there isn’t any of the familiar grandiose sounds, these give way to a soaring combination of guitar chords, synths and some subtle bells in the chorus. Don’t fret if you were a fan of that electric riffage, though, as before long, the guitar comes back with a shredding solo that will blow those socks off your tapping toe.

Change My Tone brings in some interesting sounds to the EP, bringing in influences, that sound like they could be straight off a Kasabian album. There is a lot of percussion taking centre stage in this track, from the snare-heavy drumming in the verses, to the splashy cymbals and woodblock in choruses. The guitars aren’t given much time to rest either, going from muted strumming in the verses to all out crank-it-to-11 sounds to match the drumming and vocals in the chorus.

The EP closes with one of the more recognisable tracks from the band, Burnout. A main staple of any of their live shows, and having received a solid amount of airplay, Burnout couldn’t be more of a strange song, at least on paper. Acoustic guitar, lounge-like synth and shrieking strings sounds come together with splashy cymbal-led drums and twangy electric guitars to produce one hell of a track. The various parts and pieces of this track just add to the kookiness though, giving off a happy and loose sound that will encourage you to throw your best dance moves in your bedroom.

All in all, the EP brings you five solid and fun tracks that, while not taking themselves too seriously, will get you up and dancing to their pop-rock sounds. There is enough diversity when it comes to sounds that the five tracks stand out from each other. The differences in tempo between sing-alongs like Never Leave, indie headbangers like Change My Tune, and the ever danceable Burnout will have you ready to find out what the Lulu Raes will bring you next.