Mega Fäuna release their debut album softmore this week.
Formed in the throws of lockdown, Sydney group Mega Fäuna – featuring members of acclaimed outfits in The Buoys, Sweetie, Wiles and Skeleten, began with a desire to build something new from the edges of the local music scene. Musicians Tess Wilkin and Freyja Fox set out to connect with women who didn’t already play in bands (or even play instruments at all) and who weren’t already orbiting the same familiar friendship circles that so often shape independent music scenes. As a result, the band members have brought their own unique perspectives and approach to music through to this project. Since releasing their first single Jacaranda in 2020 the band have been slowly building towards the release of this debut, softmore.
Speaking on the release the band shared “This collection of songs are musings on femininity. The softness, the secondness, the strength and the compelling force of it. Reckoning with how it binds us and liberates us.”
“They are wanderings in the dark of night, drenched in question and rinsed in exaltation. They are a dance with a stranger and a song to oneself, a spell on a forgone lover and the ecdysis that follows on. They are for us and soon they will be for you too. You can imagine them with us, as tight knit tourniquets for your dreams.”
Musically, the release reflects the softer side of indie. Most of the tracks are centred around the guitars and drums but these are layered with dreamy synths and at times ethereal vocals, leaning heavily into elements of dream pop or gentle shoe gaze. I like how this mirrors the band’s take on femininity with the strong central core of each song wrapped in these softer layers.
Single heartbeat still remains one of my favourites on the album. I just really enjoy the rhythm and the energy of the song – designed to emulate a heartbeat at times throughout the verse. I also enjoyed title track softmore. I love the vocal layers and the way the song swells to this almost anthemic rock sound at its loudest points before stripping that away completely moments later. There’s something about the complexity and the contrasts that makes this track really memorable.
Overall, I love how the album manages to stay solidly in indie rock territory. Despite its pop elements and smooth synthesisers on most tracks, it’s very clear you’re listening to a band, and I think (I hope) that’s what Mega Fäuna were going for. It’s also an album where they sound like they’re having a lot of fun. The songs are full of energy and while the stories are heartfelt and do cover deep themes at times, the upbeat, jangle-laded tracks give the vibes that you’re still supposed to be enjoying yourself and having a little dance while you’re listening.
Follow along with Mega Fäuna here.