Wild-hearted Brisbane duo Wattmore return with Romantic Side, a lively, twang-drenched critique of the superficiality in modern dating. Series of brothers Aiden and Kai Boak put punk’s sneer and country’s storytelling swagger into one, blending honky tonk rowdiness and rockabilly rebellion. The guitars snarl, the rhythm gallops and lyrics (sharp as a switchblade) cut through the tired tropes of love with satirical glee.
*Romantic Side* feels produced by Lindsay Waddington with loose, live wire energy and feels like ridiculous, last call chaos at a roadside bar: rough, raw and absolutely uncanny to life. The vocals of the Boak brothers crackle in chemistry through every verse, swapping between gritty croons and cheeky taunts and the backing band (who’s who of Aussie country talent) lay down a foot stomping foundation. It’s a song that is in on the tradition and challenging the tradition or at the very least crooning the mantra of Waylon Jennings after a couple of beers at a punk show.
Far from a breakup with swipe culture, *Romantic Side* is a celebration of raw, messy humanity that shows Wattmore continues to be alt country’s most thrilling rule breaker. Turn it up loud and let it rattle the dust out of your heart.
