Gold Class

2017 A.D. A post-post punk break-up album from Down Under’s Australia. Although a different thematic beast from their debut album It might as well be called It’s not me (it’s YOU) such is the rancour at its core.

Formed in 2014 Melbourne’s Gold Class head-voxer Adam Curley - like Editors’ Tom Smith and White Lies’ Harry McVeigh - has a refined monochromatic baritone seemingly culled from Ian Curtis and a yearning yelp derived from Stephen ‘Comsat Angels’ Fellowes.

Channelling a broken heart into art is a tried and tested means of overcoming and recovering, some stick to cryptic digs others go on an all-out assault. These song titles tell their own story (‘Get yours’, ‘Bully’ ‘We were never too much’ and the below the beltisms of ‘Thinking of strangers’) all suggesting the separation averted M.A.D. (Mutually Assured Destruction).

‘Twist in the dark’ is all angles and points, abrasive and angry, the lights are off and ‘you’re’ out.

‘Rose Blind’ adapts Strangler JJ Burnel’s throttling, pummelling bass sound (re)deploying its potency as the songs spinal chord. From uptight to upright. The anti-love letter ‘Get yours’ is vengeful and vicious, the guitars lacerate, the drums echoing the feel of defiance as this ice cold dish is served.

The ambiguous 'We were never too much' hints at lament and relief in equal measure. Did it ever mean anything or was it all an illusion, a front for others? ‘Bully’ channels The Cure, a black/white (no grey area) melody remedy riposte rife with rift riffs.

This album deftly looks back while seeing ahead: superior gloom with a view.