Welcome back Machine Translations. It’s been quite a while. In fact, it’s been six years since J. Walker, the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist behind Machine Translations released an album. Now say that three times fast.
Machine Translations first entered onto the Australian music scene in 1997 with debut album, Abstract Poverty. It was quickly followed with two more releases, Halo and Holiday in Spain. Mixing art, pop and a lo-fi electronic aesthetic all self produced, solidified Machine Translations as a seminal part of the Australian musical landscape.
Before listening to Machine Translations latest album The Bright Door, I had to go back and listen to the track She Wears a Mask from the 2002 album, Happy. It’s a personal favourite which always results in a big stupid grin and all sorts of nostalgic thoughts. It brought Machine Translations back to life.
The release of The Bright Door has seen Machine Translations return with a more organic and acoustic sound. Don’t worry though, all you long-term Machine Translations fans, it’s still most definitely a “Machine Translations” album – unusual instruments, looping and swirling music and of course, Walker’s unmistakable vocals and poetic lyrics.
The album as a whole is hauntingly beautiful. There are quiet moments that starkly contrast with the building intensity offered up by the rest of the album, and many tiny intricacies that make this such an interesting listen in good headphones. Debut single, Broken Arrows is a standout track and we’ve been enjoying it on FBi over the last couple of weeks. It’s a dreamy track that conjours up thoughts of sunshine (and other nice things too). Needles, another highlight, brings a lot of life to the album with its clashing, gnarly percussion.
As the eighth album release, The Bright Door gives long term fans the chance to re-acquaint themselves with Machine Translations and rediscover what a gem this band is, whilst serving up a new generation of fans something fresh and relevant.
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