There are very few modern bands who have not only piqued my interest but also maintained my attention across multiple albums.
British India is one of these rare exceptions and with their fifth studio album, ‘Nothing Touches Me’, the Melbourne indie-rockers have again taken another leap forward as musicians and songwriters.
From the frail, fingerpicked introduction to first track, ‘Spider Chords’, it’s immediately obvious the band have gone to great lengths to both progress musically while maintaining their rock edge. As the song goes on, showcasing a softer, more melodic approach, the listener may be forgiven for thinking the band has ‘gone soft’. Yet it’s soon clear nothing could be further from the truth as overlayed guitars burst into life and vocalist, Declan Melia belts out the chorus, sure to become a sing-along favourite at concerts.
‘Nothing Touches Me’ is peppered with these moments of soft, melodic phrasing intertwined with their trademark, raw-rock sound. Single, ‘Wrong Direction’ is the perfect example of their advanced sense of composition and arrangement; it strikes a fine balance between catchy, upbeat pop and angry rock, with lyrics dripping in angst and capped off perfectly with tight, vocal harmonies.
This trend is continued throughout the other songs, namely, ‘Blame It All On Me’ and the album’s title track, with the only 100 percent, gentle song being emotional ballad, ‘Jay Walker’.
'Nothing Touches Me' artwork
It’s tempting nowadays to describe bands by comparing their sound to others but British India are close to having no comparable peers in terms of their sound and song craft. If anything, they have become the benchmark to which new and up-and-coming bands are compared and differentiated. Melia has a distinct timbre to his voice which is instantly recognisable, coupled with lead and rhythm guitar work which is unmistakably their own.
This album doesn’t just build on the musical accomplishments and massive success of ‘Controller’, it sets a new standard for what we can expect from one of Australia’s best, young bands.
A listening pleasure from beginning to end, ‘Nothing Touches Me’ confirms the greatness of British India and I’m thoroughly looking forward to hearing them play this album live.
British India Tour Dates
Thu 16 Apr - The Gap View Hotel (Alice Springs)Fri 17 Apr - Discovery (Darwin)
Sat 18 Apr - The Gov (Adelaide)
Thu 23 Apr - Paddy's (Albury)
Fri 24 Apr - Romano's (Wagga Wagga)
Sat 25 Apr - Area Hotel (Griffith)
Fri 1 May - Sound Lounge (Gold Coast)
Sat 2 May - Urban Music Festival (Caboolture)
Thu 7 May - Club 54 (Launceston)
Fri 8 May - Republic Bar (Hobart)
Sat 9 May - Republic Bar (Hobart)
Fri 15 May - Dunsborough Tavern
Sat 16 May - Capitol (Perth)
Sun 17 May - Newport (Fremantle)
Fri 22 May - The Metro (Sydney)
Sat 23 May - Cambridge (Newcastle)
Fri 29 May - 170 Russell (Melbourne)
Sat 30 May - Workers Club (Geelong)
‘Nothing Touches Me’ is available now.
