Get down under Coolonaut’s latest album, Tales From The Black Stump. Shakeel, a Scottish doctor turned Aussie rocker, has cooked up a sonic gumbo that’s as unique as his background.
This album is a treasure trove of Aussie locals, politics and Shakeel’s own wanderlust musings. And the best part? He plays every instrument and sings every note, all recorded in his home studio using old-school analog gear with zero soundproofing. Talk about raw and authentic.
“Fish Eye Lens” kicks off the album with a thumping groove. Gritty guitars riff against a smugly catchy vocal line, all delivered with Shakeel’s deep, commanding voice. It’s a guaranteed headbobber.
Changing the pace, “The Jacket” trades the grit for a jangly, folksy vibe. Shakeel adopts a more laidback vocal style, perfect for weaving his storytelling lyrics about riding off on a lonesome highway.
Amidst the album’s driving rock jams, “Above The Clouds” shines with its infectious rhythmic narration. The chorus, “I am above the clouds/You won’t see me/Guess I am just part of the scenery,” is pure earworm material.
The album closes with a bang with “Your Time Is Up.” A shrill guitar line explodes into a vast soundscape, joined by jittery percussion that jolts you awake. Shakeel’s vocals intimidate with energy, perfectly matching the song’s intense and dynamic lyrics and especially the chorus, “Your time is up, it’s no surprise/A cigarette at sunrise.”
So get driving through the Australian outback (and beyond) with Coolonaut’s latest album Tales From The Black Stump.
KEEP IN TOUCH:
SPOTIFY
Review By: Naomi Joan