ALBUM REVIEW: THE WASHING LINE ECONOMY SET TO RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM ‘SUPPLY & DEMAND’ THIS WEEKEND

The Washing Line Economy were kind enough to send the crew over at Toastys a sneak peek into their debut album, set to be released this Saturday October 24th. It’s safe to say our eardrums and hearts melted as we kicked back to listen and write a piece on this very anticipated debut. We are unable to leak any audio files, but we can take you on a descriptive journey as you count down the days until its release

'Supply & Demand’ is a 10 track psych-pop-rock odyssey, recorded at Poons Head Studio. This debut album represents the personal experiences and life lessons within the band, including mental health, love, issues regarding climate change as well as the comical retellings of events.

This journey style album buckles you in from the very first track, once you hear the bass and leads harmonising the same dulcet riff, you just know this is going to be a good ride. If you’re a Washing Line Economy fan then you’ve heard the album's intro. In September this year the band released a mellow little tune called ‘People Change’. If you haven't heard it, then you know where to find it.

‘In as Many Minutes’ comes in at a little keener pace, similar to their popular tune ‘Lazy’ with guitar riffs and an energy that reminds me of Two Door Cinema Club’s early album ‘Tourist History’. The psychedelia is awesomely represented in this track with its dreamy guitar breakdowns and a cheeky visit from a gorgeous cello to finish it off.

To ensure an appropriate journey experience, 'Interlude 1' is an easy breezy Mac Demarco-esque 3.5 minutes, setting us up for track 4 ‘What are the Odds’. Just this far into the album it’s clear to hear the intricacy behind the writing and production. Nick Ireland has done an impeccable job mixing this collection. A set of sirens enter this track towards the end and it took me a moment to realise those sirens weren't coming from the real world. The controlled chaos is perfectly aligned with the guitar solo and carefully creeps up on you as if it were attending an incident inside your listening space.

Track 5 was released earlier this year and needs no introduction. I must say though, hearing ‘Kelloggs’ in context with the album and in its chronological order completely changes the feeling of the track for me. It's like reading a middle chapter from a book first and then starting from the beginning, a feeling of familiarity hits once you reach that point yet the track rings differently with the rest of the picture in its midst.

‘Mistakes’ is a groovy little number, I’m currently toe tapping at my desk and wishing I had a swivel chair so I could spin around to the swirling guitar filter tones throughout sections of this tune. A comforting and positive take on the mistakes we make, “make us all human”.

The rhythm guitar introduces us to Track 7 on its own with a skipping down the street type energy. The bass in ‘Maggie’ has to be my favourite so far, unbelievably funky and drives the strut of this tune for me. The track has an awesome vibe change 3 quarters of the way through and gives off some serious early Tame Impala psych vibes.

'Interlude 2' holds some personality as you’re interrupted by the voices of the band, this interlude is short and sweet, only 40 seconds long and is kind of trippy. A completely new energy, you almost feel like you’ve been launched out into space. Once ‘Strung Out’ comes in you understand the symbolism as you realise you’ve reached the forte of the album. The rawness of the lyrics in this track are incredibly relatable and are accompanied by dreamy falsetto lead vocals.

Finally you’re left spinning with ‘Let Her In’, a lulling tune with soothing chorus harmonies on top of the album's signature guitar riffs that are as smooth as Vegemite. This is one of my favourite tracks on the album hands down and the only thing you want to do when it ends is ride the album all over again. 

‘Supply and Demand’ is available to stream this Saturday the 24th, with the launch taking place a few weeks later on Friday November 6th at Badlands. The Washing Line Economy are performing their signature live show with a few twists that you won’t want to miss. Joining them are stellar support acts Servo Flowers, No Nomad and Sunsick, making for one huge celebration!
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Tickets

​Keeley Connolly