Carving your own niche within the crowded Australian electronic scene is no easy task, yet you can look no further than Crooked Colours. With their 2017 debut, ‘Vera’ establishing the Perth trio as a force to be reckoned with, their latest record ‘Langata’ furthers the group’s unique slice of electronica. After an epic summer run at St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival and more recently at Groovin’ The Moo, Crooked Colours’ biggest headline tour to date couldn’t be more timely.
Opener ‘Plymouth’ found patrons of Brisbane’s The Tivoli enamoured with the trio’s dynamic sound. In a world of electronic acts stationed behind their MacBook, the use of live instrumentation immediately signified a show worth paying close attention to. From the live sampling to the ever so precise drums, Crooked Colours’ expert use of live instrumentation is undoubtedly a key component in their success, and rightfully so. Paired with frontman Philip Slabber’s lucid vocal work, Crooked Colours live sound is sharp and dance-ridden.
As the first track played from the latest record, ‘Hold On’ found widespread fanfare, its infectious hook turning even the most wooden-legged fan into a craze. The energy surrounding any material from ‘Langata’ was undeniable. In spite of only being out for a mere day, new material was adored just as equally as older tunes; a testament to the strong follow-up album that they’ve crafted. For instance, the glistening piano line on ‘Heart String’ was mesmerising, if not immediately catchy.
With ‘Langata’ taking a natural forefront in the setlist due to its release, each and every song played from the record demonstrated the trio’s knack for diversity. You’ll find a ballad drenched in electronic effects right next to an immense, pulsating sound… occasionally even in the exact same song. Fan favourite ‘Flow’ perhaps exhibits this balance between mellow and heavy perfectly, serving as a powerful closer.
While the echoing background vocals of ‘I’ll Be There’ kicked off the encore, subsequent track ‘Perfect Run’ rounded off the night perfectly, its brooding synth lines mutating into bass worthy of the hardest electronic music. Throughout a set list dominated by an album not even out for a week, Crooked Colours exhibited every making of one of Australia’s next biggest electronic acts.
