Grinding Eyes craft a uniquely dark sonic landscape, fusing psychedelic shoegaze, drone rock, and ambient garage punk. Today, the Sydney band announced their third studio album, ‘Out of Focus’, set for release on April 4 via Poison City Records, Little Cloud Records (USA) and Rough Trade for UK pre-orders. Alongside the announcement, they share album opener, In The Reflection, which follows the December release of We Move Slowly.
In The Reflection, opens the album up with an English 60s Neo-psychedelic wavering and isolating organ delay that is hit by a towering layer of heavy fuzz guitar.
“We knew the album had to start with a bang, so we jumped straight in,” shares vocalist/guitarist Matt Wicks. “‘In The Reflection’ has been a staple in our live set, and we wanted to capture that dynamic energy on record. The song dives into self-exploration, touching on the darker, colder parts of one’s mind – love, loss, isolation, as well as the aftermath of losing someone close.”
The album was pre-produced with Jim Diamond (The Dirtbombs, The White Stripes) and recorded between Secret Sound Studios in Melbourne, with Paul Maybury (Cable Ties, Flyying Colours, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) and Goliath Studios in Sydney, with Owen Penglis (Straight Arrows). The album was mixed by Evan Foster (Boss Martians, Iggy Pop, Dirty Sidewalks) at No Count Studios in Seattle, WA, and mastered by JJ Golden (Spoon, Amyl & The Sniffers, Jack White) at Golden Mastering in California.
Known for their relentless touring, Grinding Eyes have shared stages with The Jesus and Mary Chain, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, Swervedriver, Graveyard, Moon Duo, Dinosaur Jr., Monkey Wrench, Superchunk, New Candys and Mudhoney, as well as Australian bands, Amyl and the Sniffers, Cosmic Psychos, Spiderbait, The Drones, Straight Arrows, DMA’s, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, POND, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and Tropical Fuck Storm.
The band’s lineup also boasts members from past and present bands The Mess Hall, Treatment, The Laurels, Bliss and Kimono Drag Queens, further cementing their deep roots in Australia’s underground music scene.
Grinding Eyes’ 2018 self-titled debut, released via Tym Records and Off The Hip, was followed by 2021’s ‘Taste The Monochrome’, praised by Beat Magazine as “a uniquely dark yet driving experience.” The band has also released split singles with Tumbleweed (2021) and Swervedriver (2019) and performed at festivals including Boogie, Psych Fest, Chopped, King Street Crawl, and Dark Mofo.
In The Reflection IS OUT NOW
‘Out of Focus’ WILL BE RELEASED ON APRIL 4 – PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER HERE
With thanks to AAnthologies
