The vibrant music scene of Melbourne, Australia is about to embrace a new addition: Sam Wrangle, a Brisbane-based artist on a mission to unite the Sam Wrangle band. While on this journey, he has diligently crafted his self-titled LP. The kaleidoscopic, dreamy “Opposition” emerges as the first of three singles, carving its mark in a compelling thirteen-track psych-rock voyage. Sam Wrangle is not just a singer/songwriter, but a producer who seamlessly blends jangly rock rhythms with an entrancing, lush vibe.
Sam’s eclectic stylistic forays as a producer and songwriter have culminated in his newest album, Smokey Shady. “Dress to Impress” is a stand-out track from the album, which encapsulates Sam’s honed sound.
Stepping into ‘Opposition‘ is akin to navigating a labyrinth, one that challenges our perceptions of modern privilege, amplified by the often-muted reflections of white middle-class males who’ve been handed life’s master plans. With biting wit, Sam Wrangle’s lyrics are not merely sung but pondered deeply, reminiscent of introspective thoughts on a sleepless night. This odyssey, with its echoes and undertones. immerses listeners in its astute observations of society’s complex weave and the underlying strains.
The song, in its essence, is a vibrant portrait of Brisbane’s skyline, a tempestuous dance of hues akin to an artist’s palette, complemented by the twang of jangle guitars, haunting synth sounds, and melancholic vocals. The pulsating heart of ‘Opposition‘ is the rich new wave bass, which intertwines with bright crescendos that aspire to touch the sky. And while the instrumentation pulsates with intensity, the vocals are ethereal, akin to the gentle caress of a fleeting mist. But Sam Wrangle ensures a grounded finale. In a signature move, he introduces a sudden moment of raw reality, a bold insertion that solidifies the narrative of Opposition. We hear elements of Fischer-Z, The The, and The Cure in his sound. The single also nods respectfully to ‘Innerspeaker‘ by Tame Impala – a pivotal influence from his teen years.
Listen to “Opposition” below:
The rhythm of the track is powerfully propelled by the drumming prowess of Dylan Young, known for his contributions to Way Dynamic, Cool Sounds, and Snowy Band. Taking the reins for mixing, Liam Halliwell, of Snowy Band and The Ocean Party fame, left his distinctive touch on both the album and the single. To cap it all off, the mastering magic was conjured by NYC’s Ryan Santos Phillips (Spirits of Leo). His affinity for high-fidelity sound seamlessly melds with the outstanding musicianship evident throughout the tracks.
At the tender age of 15, the strings of a bass guitar found their way into Sam’s hands, marking the start of his musical journey. As he delved into the world of jazz during his high school years, his innate songwriting abilities began to flourish, culminating in his first composed song just two years later. Not long after penning his first song, Sam embraced the guitar, drawing inspiration from iconic artists such as Johnny Marr, John McGeoch (Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees), Robert Smith, and the contemporary beats of Interpol. As he ventured further into the realms of music production, 2017 saw the birth of his debut album, “Idolatry“, released under the “Corrections” pseudonym. What began as a nebulous meld of shoegaze and post-punk gradually transformed, adopting a more eclectic style influenced by the raw charm of lo-fi recording techniques.
“I learned how to produce properly from the beginning of 2021, when I moved to a small town called Gayndah,” he says. “It was during this time that I started to produce with my friend and fellow artist Job Cran, who makes metal music. My production really improved throughout this process of collaboration, training my ears via helping to realize someone else’s vision.”
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