Who the heck are alt.? When Young Lions shared a new music video from their Adelaide show buddies, I had to check them out. It turns out they are new-new, but also kinda not.
Do you remember After Change? They were a five piece from Adelaide who released Feelin’ Fine EP in 2017, as well as several singles. Well they’re back, but in a whole new form and with a new identity: alt.
As the band’s bio says, “Formerly known as After Change, the Adelaide-based rock outfit have reformed, rejuvenated and re-branded as alt. and are exploring a brand new sound to accompany.”
alt.’s debut single is “insubordinate.”, which premiered earlier today via Dreambound on YouTube. It’s a strong start, in part due to its dark and artfully dramatic music video directed by William Suen, which features the expressive and impressive acting/bodywork of Shannelle Sipe.
But even musically, with its pulsing and polished sound, “insubordinate.” has a wow factor from its heavy beginning. Slithering verses darkly circle around an antagonist who’s propped up high in a way that seems unjust. Brighter at its choruses, “insubordinate.” shares an anthemic expression of hope for future revenge toward this villainous character.
“We’re going to bury you but not til we come to”
Soon clearly coming across as two sides – light and dark – a trap beat section with muffled vocals and imagery of the light ‘side’ struggling perfectly captures the way in which they feel held down by the other. The superior facial expression of the darker figure and their actions and manner ooze manipulation and control with authority.
The red lights and tortured expression (and the brighter figure doing the same kind of wrestling movements), as well as swift editing vibes like a clash between the two. The drum-thuds of the spacious bridge have it come across like the calm before the storm, when “You’re fucking better off dead” is unleashed. But who is it from, given that the dark side is the one viciously rushing the camera..? Are they too strong?
The battle between the strong and weak is clear to me, and the mention of “not til I come to” makes me think of a slumbering army needing to grow in strength before its full force is apparent. The sleeping will wake, and this clash will happen as a “we” instead of an “I”.
I like this! I’m keen to see more from alt. and get a fuller look at their sound and what they’re about. Watch “insubordinate.” below via YouTube.
