Since forming in late 2019, Sydney trio RADICALS have quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about acts, thanks to their ‘90s rock-infused jams.
Combining heavy riffs with catchy choruses and a give-no-fucks attitude, their early works have seen them compared to ‘90s grunge icons Nirvana and Silverchair, while their crazy live shows have made a RADICALS gig, a can’t miss proposition.
On new single untitled the band proves themselves more than worthy of the early hype, premiering today via Maniacs, untitled channels some deep ‘90s grunge and alt-rock stylings, infusing their throwback sound with some subtle modern updates and injecting a big old dose of personality. That personality can be heard dripping off of vocalist/guitarist Brendan Wade’s every line, with his melodic sensibility, tonality and phrasing making obtuse lines like “kaleidoscopes and unborn bread” sound like a cryptic creed that you can’t help but want to unpack the meaning of. It is confounding in the best possible way and according to Brendan, channelling confusion was the intention for untitled from the first note.
“untitled was the first track we wrote after our first singles back in late 2021 and was the first song we decided to write with no direction or planned meaning. We had come up with the vocal melody for the track in the space of 10 minutes and then just sat down spitting random lyrics off the top of our head that fit. Basically, as long as the syllables matched it got added to the song.
We didn’t want to put a title on the track, we didn’t want any two lines to even seem like they could make sense next to each other, we just wanted this to be a track that sounded okay and nothing else. Like the first line in the chorus is literally "Kaleidoscopes and unborn bread". What the fuck even is that?! It makes absolutely no sense and we couldn’t be prouder. As the song says "untitled lives."
The accompanying retro AF video matches that concept perfectly, depicting pure mayhem and confusion. Featuring Brandon playing the role of a mum, bassist Nick in the role of Dad and drummer Myles as their son, watching RADICALS play untitled on a retro TV as shit starts to hit the fan all around them. It is a confusing collection of visuals that is in a sense the perfect illustration of RADICALS approach.
Watch the video premiering exclusively via Maniacs below.
Having already shared stages with Ruby Fields, The Dead Love and Loser, untitled, officially released this Friday should ensure that RADICALS will soon join them as household names.
