EP Review: Hightime – Thrive

‘Australian party punks’ as a band’s PR self-description hints at a certain levity and lack of serious intent. Nothing could be further from the truth. Adelaide’s Hightime have produced an album of five songs that is a spectacularly life-affirming and serious piece that twists and turns through musical genres with verve and an impressive and dazzling dexterity. From the opening mystical and coiling yogic riff of the opening instrumental Hanumanhali onwards, there’s a tremendous energy at work here. Quit Ya Job is a compelling and strident call for self-determination and fulfilment, laid over a pulsing Dick Dale surf guitar soundtrack. Exist is a jumbo portion of battering melodic punk – imagine a suspiciously tuneful but frantic GBH fronted by Millie Manders and you’re in the right area. Say What You Mean is a delicious slice of laid-back, soulful pop reggae with a heavy message about personal responsibility and the importance of being honest. The Next Move is a step back into melodic and urgent pop punk territory. It’s a terrific song and hints that the Hightime live experience must be a frantic and exhilarating experience

Throughout all the styles and genre touchpoints, the bass snorts and growls, the guitars wail and the drums crash. It’s a confident addition to the Hightime canon and simply joyous to listen to. If you’re having a shitty time, for any reason, this album is a tonic that might pick you right back up. Only five tracks, however, and four of them clocking in at under three minutes – I wanted more. Hopefully there will be plenty more to come from these guys and on the evidence of this release, I’d say that will be something we should be looking forward to. Passionate and beautifully executed stuff.

Thrive is out now on Lockjaw Records (EU/UK) and Pee Records (worldwide)