Surprise Chef Drop New Single ‘Bully Ball’ and Announce Forthcoming Album Superb

Melbourne’s cinematic jazz-funk innovators Surprise Chef have unveiled their latest single, Bully Ball, alongside the announcement of their highly anticipated new album, Superb, set for release on May 16.

Following a whirlwind start to 2024—where they earned critical acclaim for their live re-score of the Aussie cult classic Wake in Fright—Surprise Chef returned to the studio with a renewed creative spark. Shifting away from meticulous precision, the band embraced spontaneity and groove-driven experimentation, crafting an album that blends their signature soul-jazz with fresh, upbeat energy.

Superb captures this evolution perfectly, drawing inspiration from cinematic icons like David Axelrod while infusing modern rhythmic influences reminiscent of Timbaland and The Neptunes. Recorded live to tape in single takes, the album radiates raw, unfiltered energy.

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“Superb was a real shift in process for us, and definitely illustrated how we can change our perspective to influence the outcome of a record. We take what we do pretty seriously; we care a great deal about the music we make being purposeful and meaningful. That mentality has given birth to a bunch of records we’re really proud of, but also can leave little room for spontaneity and the kind of unbridled joy that can be stifled by the levels of scrutiny we put into our work. Making Superb showed us that when we’re more relaxed during the process, we get a whole different kind of record out of it.” – Lachlan Stuckey, Surprise Chef.

Lead single Bully Ball is a hypnotic, piano-led groove layered with glockenspiel, wah-soaked guitars, and a punchy, hip-hop-inspired beat. Its title nods to the aggressive, hard-nosed basketball style of the ‘90s NBA, perfectly reflecting the track’s bold, rhythmic swagger.

With global momentum building and an international tour on the horizon, Surprise Chef’s Superb promises to be their most dynamic release yet.