Bursting with chiming Dunedin-pop anthems, melodic rock and Phillipps’
playful punk-rock tendencies, the thrilling new album brings them to the next
chapter.
Recorded at Albany Street Studios in Dunedin (NZ) the album instantly
reaffirms Phillipps’ aptitude for writing intelligent and timeless pop songs
delivered with conviction. Whether tackling issues on the economy, fighting with
‘Silver Bullets’ or the observant nature of Southern Lights on ‘Aurora
Corona’, The Chills complex pop resonates in a cacophony of dark-edged songs.
Their underlying melancholy remains and is offset by their signature catchy
melodies bringing a haunting depth to their idiosyncratic sound.
New Zealand legends, The Chills are led by Martin Phillipps. Formed in 1980,
the indie luminaries revolving line-up has had Phillipps at its core for over
thirty years. Joining influential labels Creation and Homestead, they then moved
to Warner Bro’s imprint Slash and onto the world of majors. At the height of
their success John Peel invited them in for a number of BBC sessions which were
released for the first time late last year.
Significant chart success at home and a following worldwide would see
1990’s ‘Submarine Bells’ (Slash Records) gain critical acclaim. When
‘Soft Bomb’ dropped in 1992, as they toured the US, things imploded
resulting in the group disbanding and it wasn’t until 1996 that their next
album ‘Sunburnt’ appeared with a new line up on Flying Nun.
“Driving pop fulled by simple, incessant guitar lines, combined with
Phillips’s facility for a hook-laden melody.” – The Wire
“The songwriter that helped kick off indie rock as we know
it.” – NPR
“Capable of rousing rock and breathtaking beauty.” – Pitchfork
“The group’s loose and energetic and its signature pop-rock is still
potent and the melodies as catchy as ever.” – Pop Matters