Parcels, the five-piece Australian pop-funk band NME called, “devilishly fun” have shared their new track and music video, “Comingback” out now on Because Music.
Stream/download it HERE and watch the music video HERE.
“Comingback” delivers more of the satisfying, infectious grooves existing fans have come to expect, and is destined to win over a whole new legion of converts. Standing out as truly unique amid the current musical landscape, Parcels are a classic band for atypical times.
“Comingback” was recorded by the band in La Frette Studios, Paris. The joyous, jubilant track immediately connects with the listener right from the open. Rousing piano, jangly guitar and a tight rhythm section are perfectly topped with an accent of soaring strings. The masterful orchestral arrangement is courtesy of the GRAMMY-winning musician Owen Pallett (Arcade Fire). The band self-produced the track, with mixing by James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Florence and The Machine). Following a long period of uncertainty and introspection, “Comingback,” conveys an optimism that’s celebratory in nature, both musically and lyrically.
The band comments, “Noah sings lead on this song about the isolation of tour life and the hopeful message of perseverance through difficult times. ‘Comingback’ felt like one of the earliest new ideas floating around after finishing our debut album and yet the last song we managed to finish. For years you could hear these chords emanating from every piano Jules sat down at. We imagined the vast red desert of Australia, and played to this image in our minds as we rehearsed in a way of coping through lockdown while we yearned for our original home of Australia.
When the time came to record it at La Frette there was an arrangement worked out but no singing melody which we felt could match the furious energy of Toto and Pedro’s rhythms. Determined, it was written and rewritten many times, long after we finished everything else on the album, melodies and singers interchanged constantly. Eventually Noah brought a new power to the verse as well as a message we could all relate to and together we finished it the night before boarding the plane to Australia. It feels truly like one of the most collaborative songs we’ve completed together and is all the more special because of it.”
The new music video for “Comingback” shares the song’s effervescent mood. The band romps through the Australian countryside, running and dancing with their instruments, and driving through the scenic landscapes. Directed by Oliver Rose, the clip showcases the dazzling beauty of the outback, while simultaneously capturing the undeniable camaraderie the band shares. Rose explains, “We were in the middle of a three-week tour of the outback and had a long fun day shooting in surreal locations. With time against us we motored to the beautiful Kanku-Breakaways to catch the last light for the video. We drove around, shooting in the back of the van; the song and the speed and the sheer joy of the boys playing propelling us. The sun was setting and I was looking around this environment and looking back at the boys who were at the same time incredibly pumped but also exhausted. Plans went out the window. In the spur of the moment I threw them out of the van and just told them to play, little else. What ensued was one instinctive and silly take, full of mistakes and fun. After a year being inside, it felt good to run with our friends.”
The band adds, “The video was partly filmed on the traditional country of the Antakirinja Matuntjara Yankunytjatjara and Barkindji people. Parcels acknowledges the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia and pay their respects to elders past and present.”
“Comingback” follows the band’s recent release of the single “Free.” Both “Free” and “Comingback” are the first new original studio music to be released since their acclaimed debut album Parcels (2018) and the subsequent Live Vol 1, featuring previously released material (2020). Paste called “Free” a sun-kissed track…70s-evoking funk guitars and keys, with sultry and smooth vocal melodies.” The band shot a live video for “Free” at Australia’s remote Silverton Hotel, watch it HERE. The latest videos are all part of an ambitious journey being filmed for a future documentary to follow in the coming months.
Formed in Byron Bay in Australia in their final year of high school, the band relocated to Berlin where they spent several years before returning to their native Australia. Parcels is Jules Crommelin (guitar/vocals), Louie Swain (keyboard, vocals), Patrick Hetherington (keyboard, guitar, vocals), Noah Hill (bass/vocals) and Anatole 'Toto' Serret (drums/vocals). To date they've amassed over 350 million streams, 200,000 album sales worldwide, cross-continental tours, shows with French royalty Phoenix and Air, a US TV debut on Conan O'Brien, and a debut single that was produced by none other than Daft Punk. Pitchfork took notice of their "slick grooves inspired by the hi-fi funk of 1970's AM radio," while Stereogum said, "Parcels make some incessantly groovy tunes." Previous festival appearances include Glastonbury and Coachella, along with their own sold-out headline shows across the world. Parcels’ tight and inventive songwriting brims with snapping rhythms and tricky basslines accompanying the group’s feathery, flesh-and-blood vocals. More anticipated new music is coming soon.
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