Sharing a mutual love of 60s psych and garage, Pow Magazine’s support and appreciation for The Citradels should come at no surprise. I personally have reviewed them several times now, and am always happy to hear their newest creations. Having released their latest album Tracs in June of this year, I knew I would be in for a musical treat.
Based in Melbourne, Australia, they have already released 10 albums in the last 7 years. If that doesn’t say something about their ingenuity and work ethic, I don’t know what does. Their studio in rural Victoria provided the perfect atmosphere to craft their latest album—this time around they stripped down their sound and incorporated a vast array of new influences, including strong folk elements—this is especially prevalent in their track “Main View”. Over time they have come to prioritize song writing and lyrical content over an overly processed sound. In their own words, their recent album took “cues from the likes of Neil Young and Drugdealer.” This is a clear development from their early sound which was dubbed “‘drone n roll” and had heavy dream-pop and shoegaze influences. This being said, these early influences are still very much present in their newest album, they just have evolved slightly and are now incorporated with new elements—tracks like “Day by Day” allows the listener to experience this progression fully. Though perhaps sounding a bit counterintuitive, the result of these changes produces a more refined, committed and honest approach to their sound and further development as artists. Bands which are able to go through periods of self-imposed introspection to re-evaluate their sound and goals as a cohesive group, and furthermore make the necessary changes to realize this, should be greatly respected; it shows their commitment to becoming better artists and pushing the limit to what is familiar to them. It short, it represents incredible growth.
Listening further, one can’t help but feel similarities between The Citradels’ “Turn Away” or “Siren Song” and the echoing, at times melancholy melodies evocative of groups such as Simon & Garfunkel (“Scarborough Fair”/ “The Sound of Silence”) and even early Beach Boys’ numbers like “In my Room”. Though the tracks have an unmistakable depth and complexity to them, gentle harmonies which bring about a familiar nostalgia for sunshine pop bands of the 60s and 70s, are sprinkled throughout. Despite the simplified instrumental aspect, The Citradels tracks’ “Only You” and “In the Wind” project these deep, soulful yet de-constructed harmonies we’ve seen time and again with The Mamas and the Papas or The Hollies, in numbers like “The Air that I breath”.
Watch their music video for “Been Here A While” here:
Tracs illustrates to us listeners, through stripped down harmonies and heavy folk-pop influence, the cumulative efforts of an ingenious group. It takes The Citradels to new heights in terms of song writing and lyrical composition, and yet doesn’t allow us to forget their dreamy pop origins—a true demonstration of their consistent progression as a group. Another valued album from very talented artists; please support them and listen to their latest album here: https://thecitradels.bandcamp.com/
Tracklist:
Tracs
Day by day
Thankless
Cathrine
Been here a while
Turn away
Only You
Mainview
In the wind
The crown
Wait till I’m up again
Siren Song
In the rain
The fifth time around
Review written by Isabella Moulton– a stylist and designer by day, and aesthetic aficionado by night. For inquiries, please contact her at: theeccentricbourgeoisie@gmail.com | Keep it groovy <3
