Antenna by Antenna

This is Antenna State

The work of vocalist Tim "Shogun" Wall has seen no shortage of deserved acclaim since he came to prominence as Royal Headache's frontman in the 2010's, semi-accidentally securing himself a place as one of rock and roll's best contemporary singers. Since that band's dissolution late last decade, few have come close to capturing the balance between the disarmingly sincere soulfulness and irrepressible hardcore ferocity that makes him so unique.

But in Antenna, with their rabid and affecting blend of punk, garage and powerpop, he's found more than worthy foils to usher him back into the void he left. Their debut self-titled EP hits the ground with an untameable velocity in "Cubes" and "Don't Cry", songs that call to mind so many perfect canonical punk songs that they feel instantly familiar while remaining unmistakably them.

The tunes shine just as bright when the aggression is tempered slightly, and Shogun is given room to really flex his chops. "Lost" is a heady rush of exhiliration and heartbreak with its aching refrain; "what in God's name made me think you ever cared?" In another band's hands, songs like these could be hokey and cloying, but instrumentalists Amasaki (guitar), Mikey (bass) and Hugh (drums) do just enough to keep everything on the level, emphasising the emotional punch these songs pack, without letting them devolve into cheesiness.

It's a rare thing to hear earnest, heartfelt punk rock done exactly right, and Antenna have hit the sweet spot between uncomplicated and uncompromising right out the gate. It may be their debut, and "promising" is always a tempting descriptor, but in this case it's inadequate; it's Antenna Time, and deliverance is upon us.

Punk from Sydney

@antennnnnna