The phoenix-like return of Brisbane garage-rock behemoth Velociraptor continues unabated with the release of their vertigo-inducing new single and video, Falling!
Following an extended period of well-earned hibernation after the endless party that was their halcyon years, Velociraptor returned in late-2023 with two scintillating new singles in Leaving Hollywood and Timebong, effortlessly showcasing their ability to move with ease between the disparate realms of garage- and psych-rock.
With this thrilling opening gambit providing fans old and new with the first succulent taste of their epic third album ‘Computer Future’, Velociraptor doubled down in April with the release of the album’s mesmerisingly-robotic co-title track Computer Future Part 1 (augmented by its fittingly senses-realigning, SPOD-produced film clip).
Now, Falling is here to add to this steady procession of banging tracks signifying the return of the mighty ‘Raptors!
Eschewing traditional arrangements from the get-go, the incessant chug of Falling’s opening verses leads enticingly to a chasm of spectral vocals echoing the song’s refrain before exploding into the garage-psych guitar frenzy of the eventual chorus, with mechanical vocal chanting and dense basslines helping the tribal drums guide the way forward throughout the tumultuous three-minute journey.
Naturally Falling’s lyrical allusions to plummeting earthwards are mere metaphors masking more personal concerns, as the track’s songwriter/vocalist Julien James explains: “Falling is a song about the sinking feeling the heart feels when it’s broken. It’s never ending and it seems to fall forever. It’s repetitive and empty and painful. When the broken-hearted person says ‘I feel like falling’, they in turn fall forever. It’s ironic that the music turned out so positive in comparison to the lyrical concept, but ‘Raptors are good at that. I hope this song fuels a “come up” moment for the broken-hearted.
I wrote this one pretty quickly towards the end of the recording process and didn’t think we’d have time to record it, but as always our drummer George picked it up after the first run through and tracked it perfectly in one or two takes. The band spent a good 10 minutes debating over the backing chant – is it “doo doo” or is it “doot doot”? We landed on “doot doot” and never turned back.”
Velociraptor’s sprawling and ambitious ‘Computer Future’ is due for release this November at which point the band will be springing back into live action – their recent shows around Brisbane having been lauded as among the tightest and most compelling of the band’s storied career – but for now it’s time to revel in the spiralling garage glory of Falling, more trademark ‘Raptors radness!
With thanks to Coolin’ By Sound
