triple j unearthed pick of the week: High-tails

High-tails
Bending Over Backwards

When Wagga Wagga exports High-tails released their debut single Maps in the last quarter of 2013, I was struck by its neatness and immediacy, the now-Sydney-dwelling quartet knocking out two odd minutes of pristine indie pop complete with a floaty melodica solo and nods to The Go-Betweens.

My vibe on it was strong that I dubbed it the song of the summer from triple j Unearthed.

Now High-tails are back with a really impressive follow up, Bending Over Backwards, which shows these guys are no one-trick ponies. Beginning with a strut, Bending Over Backwards quickly gallops into a surge of guitar noise ,as singer Nicholas Griffith sneers about “shooting into oblivion”.

If Maps was seemingly patriotic in its noticeably Australian feel, then this new one hints at a British influence that recalls Arctic Monkeys, as well as the organ-infused bands of the British beat era.