Time for something completely engaging, entertaining and thoughtful, with vocals and lyrics that naturally soothe. Outback Stormchasers are an elusive and impressive indie band, and Famous Last Words in the Multiverse is a genuine gem of an album for the year ahead.
As an opener, Atoms for Mom is beautifully enchanting, a wonderful introduction to the organic and soulful appeal to rising energy and rock presence of the band. The voice is stunning, something like Eddie Vedder piercing through from delicacy to depth, and the arrangement also captures a fine balance between that which is familiar, and that which is wholly unexpected. It’s a dreamy sway of an opener, with a brief burst of intensity, and it speaks volumes on behalf of the musicianship and contemplation to follow.
The mellow grooves, the intimacy of the voice, the fascinating poetry and mystique of the writing, all continues to ring loud as we continue – unique traits of Outback Stormchasers. I’m reminded of Incubus momentarily during Fall Death Star (CCC AI Love), then of Pearl Jam again for the more stripped-back shoulder sway of Delirium.
As we move into Ice, the complexity of these abstract thoughts reaches a certain peak, while the music leans towards an easy four-to-the-floor-acoustic groove, with hints of programmed horns and additional voice adding colour to the mix. It’s another enjoyable set-up and performance, and a huge part of what compels you to listen more than once to the nuance and intrigue of this album.
Acoustic fingerstyle and short lines allure further still for I’m Okay Again, before a riding bassline and classic funk-rock-feel brings through more of what was possibly a Chilli Peppers influence touched upon earlier. Worst Person In The World is quirky, brief and bold, loaded with character, and rises towards a humble earworm of a hook.
The fun side of the band continues to shine, perhaps suggestive of a more arbitrary and free-flowing writing style over anything more deeply contemplative, but that’s to be discovered. My Big Deck provides a strong balance between the two approaches, and offers a fast acoustic riff and gentle vocals which, in this case, deliver a dash of something Rusted Root-like. Comparisons don’t work too well for Outback Stormchasers though. It’s 2025, and this is a fresh sound and songwriting style, from a band who seem born to create and perform in this way.
Don’t Look Back is the penultimate track, ambient by design, inspiring in its storytelling. Short lines again prove a consistent trait of these mellow productions. Then to finish, the band reinforce the escapism value of their style, by taking the listener far from their current situation – over to the incomparable calm and poetic embrace of The Great Ocean.
This is genuinely one of my favourite albums from this year so far. Beautifully performed, fearlessly unusual in lyric but with equal parts meaning and playfulness – a style that feels partly familiar, but a collection of songs that feel authentically original and refreshing in being so. This album and repertoire is a genuine pleasure to let play in full, and I look forward to following the Outback Stormchasers journey.
Find all things Outback Stormchasers via their Website.
