Built via long-distance collaboration between Sydney and Adelaide, Marcus Whale and Travis Cook close the book on a decade-long discography that’s re-defined the boundaries of Australian DIY synth pop.
After meeting on a post-rock online message board more than 15 years ago, Collarbones swiftly then steadily gathered a devoted fan base around them, their incredible stage shows and captivating output earning critical recognition and placement on lineups globally. The duo’s harness of unconventional song structures, electronic improvisation and pop-ready melodies opened up a precedent for future artists in the space to look to. Now, having delivered four albums of sinewy electronic pop music across their career, the pair deliver their swan song in Filth: an eleven track exploration of sounds skirting its many mediums ready for experimentation, from grunge-pop to glitch and clubby ballads.
Speaking on the album’s focus track, “Edging”, Cook and Whale share: “’Edging’ is a bombastic, breakbeat heavy pop song in the vein of earlier Collarbones tracks ‘Hypothermia’ and ‘Momentary’. Lyrically, it centres around intimacy and giving just enough of yourself to keep the spark alive. As we wrap up the project, it acts as our swan song. We’re moving in a new direction, keeping our listeners on the edge.”
Filth joins Collarbones’ diverse back-catalogue as their fifth long play release. Since their 2011 debut album, Iconography, to 2012’s Die Young and 2014’s Return, Collarbones have continued to firmly hone their unique sound and pioneer at the forefront of electronic pop – with ARIA and FBi SMAC Award nominations under their belt. Their fourth, and much-awaited studio album, 2019’s Futurity, merged signature storytelling to become one of their most dynamic releases yet. A testament to their versatile innovation, Collarbones’ career includes highlights across working with Flume, Banoffee, Oscar Key Sung and more. As seasoned live performers, Collarbones have toured the world in packed night clubs to seated theatres and festival stages, including a cameo at Flume’s VIVID headline show at the Sydney Opera House and Los Angeles’ FYF Fest.
Filth is the final body of work from one of Australia’s most progressive duos, who will continue to inspire future generations in music.
“We look back in a joy that mixes well with horror – these are songs about staring into an abyss gladly and we relish in sounds that are as lurid as they are dreamlike.
“Collarbones advocates for bad taste, now and forever.”
Release: June 23, 2023, Independent