Not sure why, but I've been sleeping on Australia's Blank Realm. I finally woke up with the Go Easy album (out May 14 on Fire Records; it was released on LP last year by Siltbreeze). They play rock music with vocals, choruses, and fairly typical structures, but all of these familiar elements somehow cohere into dewdrop-fresh songs, even to my jaded old ears. I don't want to say Go Easy is a miracle or anything, but it is pretty dang special for making rock sound like it's not wheezing on its deathbed; bonus—it's catchy as hell without sounding the least bit hokey. In 2013, we'll graciously take that sort of gift. If the idea of Royal Trux recording for Flying Nun in 1993 excites you, then you'll probably want to explore Blank Realm.

So it pleases me to announce that "Acting Strange" is best song ever (this week... and maybe next week). It's the lead-off track from Go Easy, and it's a paragon of how to start your goddamn album. It begins immediately with the tension ratcheting up and a bass riff of feedtime-like girth, laying a foundation of momentous danger, not unlike Sonic Youth's "Death Valley '69." The track alternates between seething paranoia and effusive rage, making the time-honored loud/quiet/loud dynamic seem totally vital. In their distinctive hands, Blank Realm's refrain of "Guess I've been acting kind of strange" becomes a rallying cry rather than an alibi. Freak the fuck out.

Press release after the jump.

Fire Records is thrilled to announce that they have signed one of their favourite bands, Australian psychedelic pop outfit Blank Realm. Their new album Go Easy initially came out on a limited edition, vinyl only run via the awesome tastemaker label Siltbreeze and in Australia on the equally wonderful Bedroom Suck, but now through Fire it will be getting the widely distributed release it deserves in May, on CD and Pink 180gram 12” LP.

"...the best record of the quartet's already-solid career." - Marc Masters, Pitchfork

Blank Realm are one of the most popular bands in the booming Australian underground and have morphed in to a modern day Royal Trux. As Pitchfork described in their review, they create: “…a bluesy waltz in which Sarah Spencer’s snarl hits Jennifer Herrema levels.”

Hailing from Brisbane, Blank Realm consists of three siblings, Daniel, Luke and Sarah Spencer, and Luke Walsh. Renowned for their ecstatic live performances and boundary-pushing, yet listenable records, the group have released several sold out recordings on labels including Not Not Fun, Digitialis, Albert’s Basement and MusicYourMindWillLoveYou.

The band’s formidable live reputation has been earned over the course of over 200 live performances with acts such as Kurt Vile, Wild Flag, Zola Jesus, Sun Araw, The Clean, Robert Forster, Wet Hair, Jandek, Grouper, Damo Suzuki and Royal Headache.

Their new album, Go Easy, is an incredible blend of psychedelic rock & roll and super-catchy pop smarts. Sometimes their sound approaches the post-punk desperation of Joy Division, other times it possesses the playful, superfuzzed psych of the Flaming Lips. More than anything, Go Easy has THE SONGS. It comes in late and without much warning, but they make it worthwhile, with acclaim from the indie music press, blogosphere, and radio community.

Artist: Blank Realm
Album: Go Easy
Label: Fire Records
Release date: May 14, 2013

Track Listing:
1. Acting Strange
2. Cleaning Up My Mess
3. Working On Love
4. Growing Inside
5. The Crackle Pt. 1
6. The Crackle Pt. 2
7. Pendulum Swing
8. Go Easy