What does Divorce Attorney sound like?

Brooding alt-rock meets shoegaze, channelling its best Nick Cave.

The review ‘Always Something’ by Divorce Attorney

Inspired by the 80’s to the 00’s goth and post-punk movements, Divorce Attorney’s new EP ‘Always Something’ is a lesson in playful creativity. Rarely following traditional song structures, the band prefer to use a flow of energy to dictate how verses and choruses are connected. There’s also the Nick Cave level of deep vocal that frontman and rhythm guitarist Nathan Key can bring to the party. Every line is delivered with gothic molasses and a cloud of doom, whilst the rest of the band whip up a frenzy. It’s a great set-up.

Divorce Attorney – photo by Daniel Lincoln

‘Align Me’ is one such track that flows like a rollercoaster. The deeply resonant and deadpan vocal delivery is richly gothic, whilst drummer Owen Flood is utterly bombastic with his performance. The drums are large in the mix, allowing you to ride the rhythm as it baits and switches trills and fills. It embodies everything I love about the messy post-punk and grunge era of the 90’s perfectly. ‘Blind Eye’ takes an indie rock approach, with Charlie Chatfield’s tense bass leading the way. With Alex Lemonidis’ keyboard adding a softer edge early on, and Key showcasing his softer vocal, the track transitions into a riotous final minute. The band chants, the electric guitars swoop in, and angry synths fill out the wall of sound.

‘Eulogy’ is an exercise in clever, dusty restraint. Dry percussion and bass lead the cobbled verses, whilst Tanyaradzwa Sitotombe’s lead guitar embraces a haunted cowboy western vibe. With the other tracks on the EP reaching for shoegazer levels of noise, the subdued first three minutes of this track really cleanses your audio palette. For the final 90 seconds, that wall of sound returns with a climactic and emotive conclusion. The lead and rhythm guitars seem to be processed through a phasing filter to give them an electronic synth bleed. It’s a sound that pops up a few times in the EP, but it is boldly worn here. Lastly, ‘Get Lost’ is the most psychedelic track on the release. The interplay between the two guitars, bass, and keyboards creates a shimmering collage of noise. It’s delightfully chaotic and full of unrest.

Restless is a great descriptor for Divorce Attorney’s music. All five musicians bring flair to their instruments. The songwriting and production allow each band member moments to display their skills, too. When I listen to this EP, there’s a chaser’s energy to it. By that, I mean it feels like each band member is taking turns saying “I’ll lead” and they riff off into the distance, leading the rest of the band along like a pied piper. That doesn’t mean that anything feels off; quite the opposite. It’s that their energy is completely infectious and leaps off the speakers and into your bones. I found it impossible to stay still and have no intention of keeping still in future listens. Fantastic.

Recommended track: Blind Eye

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