‘New York was there, but what did I care,’ sings lead singer of Free Time, Dion Nania, on ‘Here & There’ from their debut and eponymous album. Apparently, a lot, since he upped sticks from home town Melbourne to the big city in 2011, and brought his jangly strained guitar vibes with him. With a disinterested bounce, Free From Band tell the tales of suburban frustration and misery in a whimsical fashion, and where similar bands Real Estate, Beach Fossils and mates Scott & Charlene’s Wedding vibrate slowly with resurgent intensity. Song titles such as ‘I Lost Again’, ‘World Without Love’ and ‘It Doesn’t Stop’ suggest a pessimistic outlook, but new tracks ‘Guess Work’ and ‘Esoteric Tizz’, the new 7", are delivered with such nervy skittish disillusionment that the songs never sound bleak. Sunny melodies and exasperated lyrics just sound like the reality of being in the world’s greatest city, but on a rainy grey day. Catch them at Baby’s Alright on 7th August. – Francesca Baker
