Western Australian psych-rock band Pond’s ninth album might have been their first in over a decade that was recorded entirely on home turf (for pandemic reasons), but thematically it darts all over the place. There are biographical moments, with reflections on travelling, meaningful encounters and thought-provoking conversations. There are observations on modern life, ancient mythology, gentrification and tourism.
There are wild improvisations taken from frenzied jam sessions, collaborations with artists near and dear to the band, ideas drawn from other creative minds and works, with lyrics that bounce from profound to funny to delightfully absurd. All in all, 9 feels like a series of musical vignettes, often focused entirely on a single person, thought, memory or moment. Below, frontman Nick Allbrook talks through each song on the record.
