Particles @ Newtown Social Club, 17th Nov

“When half the band is made up of Skarlett off of Rackett, Particles were always going to set off some sparks of interest round these parts. When they show up for their third ever gig and bring it like a mix of – (praise be!) Hockey Dad and Queens Of The Stone Age, it’s like they’ve set fire to my face. The set starts off with some serious mood, rumbly and narked, but – remarkably for a new project – bakes in equal amounts of melodic and growly moments. This is unmistakably a guitar band, but the elements of techy bloops are fun, and keep us guessing despite the minimalist two-piece setup. Everything’s as taut as a drum, and the songs are fast to imprint – I think it’s the surprisingly delicate vocal on top of the controlled mayhem that does it for me. There’s a “new” one about halfway through whose title I miss – they’re all bloody new – and which stands out, and the opening two are fearsomely good fun. It’s “Tennis” that really jumps down the throat though, and on the basis of one listen I’m buying that damn thing when it comes out and filing it in between The Hard Aches and the new Japandroids record. And then the next person who tells me new music is better in Melbourne or wherever is going to get beaten to bits with it.”

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter