While their 2012 self-titled debut and singles “My Gun” and “Lay It Down” launched the Rubens into Australia’s indie stratosphere, there was no escaping that, even with its Motown flourishes, the brothers Margin (Sam, Elliott and Zaac) and their compadres Scott Baldwin and Will Zeglis made very serious music.
Hoops is a welcome change; still composed of typically big, grandiose indie rock, this time it’s infused with more playful musical theatricality and a relatable perspective. Because while the subject matter behind tunes like “Switchblade” or “Battles” isn’t exactly cheery, musically the band are stretching out and maturing – as you’d expect from a second album – upping their soul game and giving these tunes an experienced weightiness.
320 kbps | 111 MB UL | HF | MC ** FLAC
It’s realised in the horns of “Hold Me Back”, the organ-led indie funk swagger of “Cut Me Loose” (plus its killer guitar solo) and “Things About To Change”, all excellent tunes that veer between sunshine soul, indie pop optimism and painful emotional introspection with an assured aplomb.
Space is also utilised better on Hoops; the relaxed chill of the title-track weirdly recalls Kanye’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, while “Bitter End” is icy and piercing – a natural (Chet Faker-evoking) evolution from “My Gun”. But the best is latter-day Black Keys-esque closer “The Fool”. With Hoops the Rubens confirm that they’re Australia’s go-to for outstanding indie-soul.
1 Hallelujah
2 The Night Is On my Side
3 Hoops
4 Switchblade
5 Bitter End
6 Cut Me Loose
7 Things About To Change
8 Battles
9 Hold Me Back
10 The Original
11 The Fool