Hope Downs more than delivers on the promise of the Melbourne quintet’s two early EPs, doubling down on the melancholy pop it forged on 2015’s Talk Tight and last year’s The French Press while also polishing its sound.
When it comes down to it, Hope Downs ultimately succeeds thanks to its impressive quality control. There's not a single bad song on here, only slight variances in tone and luster. A similar comparison could be made to R.E.M.'s groundbreaking debut effort, Murmur, and though it won't have the same impact, the album does share that same meticulous rendering of ringing guitars.
Let’s be clear. Hope Downs doesn’t invent anything “new”. It’s the kind of record I could have been listening to when I was 15 and still be playing now, timeless in its past and future reach.
This first full album features ten songs showing a fresh, impressive mix of melodic propulsion and, at the same time, strong jangling versatility.
With Hope Downs, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever prove that although they’re among the best and most exciting music to come out of Australia today, they can’t be lumped in with their compatriots, whether those groups are defunct like the Go-Betweens or contemporary.
Ultimately, the record triumphs via Rolling Blackouts’ deep inhabitation of their music, and the space of its creation.
Mostly ... Hope Downs is as good a reminder as any that life’s a blast. Head to the beach, you’ve found the soundtrack.
None of the songs on Hope Downs are a massive leap in style from what we’ve known from Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever in the past ... but there are a few minor outliers, which diversify the album enough to make it a very enjoyable listen.
Now, with their debut full-length Hope Downs, the band look to consolidate their justified amount of hype, and, for the most part, generally succeed.
Hope Downs is the sound of RBCF's expansive horizons.
Hope Downs is a record that sounds like it was made in the Australian bush, and it’s when this sense of local experience is presented most effectively that it really starts to shine.
It’s freewheeling one minute, and a little awkward the next.
Album Quest Day 19
By all accounts I should like this album. And I do. It's a very consistent record, which is somehow its biggest issue. There are no bad songs, no mediocre songs even, but on the other side of that coin, there are no standout songs either. Nothing really jumped out at me as being the definitive hit of the album or the worst song either. This makes it forgettable, honestly. The sound is enjoyable, sure, but there isn't much to look forward to when listening. It's a flat line ... read more
Rolling Blackout Coastal Fever's debut, Hopes Down, is a jangle pop inspired indie rock album, showing a lot of potential with the band with some gleaming and warm production and a catchy soundscape already established, they show they have a lot to offer with tracks such as Talking Straight and Cappuccino City, it is clean that they can do feel good indie rock very well and for an engaging and very good listen.
Track Review
An Air Conditioned Man 8/10
Talking Straight 9.5/10
Mainland ... read more
It's a pretty nice album, has some great, well crafted songs, catchy choruses, awesome riffs. I just love to come back to it once in a while. Talking Straight is a jam, I also love An Air Conditioned Man and Bellarine. What a pop record should be.
1 | An Air Conditioned Man 4:51 | 89 |
2 | Talking Straight 3:44 | 93 |
3 | Mainland 4:14 | 91 |
4 | Time in Common 2:04 | 93 |
5 | Sister's Jeans 3:16 | 96 |
6 | Bellarine 2:54 | 95 |
7 | Cappuccino City 2:54 | 86 |
8 | Exclusive Grave 3:46 | 88 |
9 | How Long? 3:06 | 88 |
10 | The Hammer 4:28 | 90 |
#2 | / | Uncut |
#3 | / | MOJO |
#3 | / | No Ripcord |
#4 | / | Piccadilly Records |
#5 | / | Rough Trade |
#7 | / | Double J |
#8 | / | Paste |
#10 | / | BrooklynVegan |
#10 | / | Drift |
#10 | / | The Observer: Kitty Empire |