Newly-minted Australian indie rockers Blue Gremlin are kicking down the door with their second single, 21. The track is nihilistic, yet bursts forth synth-laced indie rock energy, as it ruminates upon the existentialism of adulthood. Blue Gremlin is the studio creation of Harry Boxall, who tackles the turmoil of depression, addiction, heartbreak, and loss with his “band of gremlins.”
Musically inspired by The Cure and Oasis, but with the confessional lyricism of Lou Reed and Elliot Smith, the track is a quarter-life crisis set to a highly catchy tune; its gloom and doom masked by jovial jangles and a pep in their step. It is quite the metaphor for those struggling daily with an assortment of masked behaviours. This could be the theme to the “This is fine” meme dog surrounded by fire, or a nice moment of simply being acknowledged.
While COVID-19 has interfered with their ability to perform live, it hasn’t stopped the success of their first single The Gremlin, which was featured in the September issue of Relix Magazine’s digital sampler, Get To Know Blue Gremlin. Listen below.