Building on two EPs of whirlwind drum rhythms, piercing pedal-driven guitar histrionics and chanting vocals, for this new album the band (Ben Leonard, Liam Kiely, Richard Dugdale and Toby King) undertook a fresh songwriting direction.
''There was a really conscious effort from the start of the whole writing process,'' guitarist Kiely said from Auckland.
''Our previous songwriting has been more structurally focused, with interesting arrangements and that kind of thing, but with this we wanted to write in a more linear sense. Have one idea then explore that fully.
''It's changed our approach to how we write. It's more of just how we play when we're in a room together and just jamming. It's quite freeing, really. It's very democratic.
''All of the songs that made it on to the record started as jams or improv.''
The album is named after End-Game, a short story by British cult literary icon J. G. Ballard.
The story deals with themes of repetition and subtle change through a tale of mortality and deadly inevitability.
The album also plays with these themes, working on a similar sense of repetition and change.
Each song rides a groove, with syncopations gradually and tactfully building and musical left-turns spontaneously crashing in and out of each other in equal measure.
It sounds both immediate and instinctive, sonically engaging, with plenty to discover on repeat listens.
The album is available as a pay as you like download from headspins.bandcamp.com.
MATINEE SHOW AT TASTE MERCHANTS
Folk songstress Nadia Reid is in town this weekend for a Sunday matinee show at Taste Merchants.
The singer, who signed to Australia's Spunk Records in February and will have vinyl out in Australasia and the US in coming months, will be supported by Grawlixes and Hana Fahy.
THE CHILLS TO MAKE HOMETOWN APPEARANCE
Seminal Dunedin band The Chills are making a hometown appearance at Chick's Hotel on Friday.
It's the band's first local show since returning from a successful 16-date tour of the UK and Europe in August last year.
The quintet, led by songwriter and founder Martin Phillipps, are currently working towards the October release of Silver Bullets, the band's first full-length album since 1996's Sunburnt.
The album will be released by UK independent label Fire Records.
Expect to hear new material alongside classics such as Pink Frost, Heavenly Pop Hit and I Love My Leather Jacket.
Tickets $25 from undertheradar.co.nz.
Be there
• HDSPNS / 'E N (D) , G A M / Album Release Tour, tonight at Chick's Hotel, with Thundercub and Astro Children, 8.30pm doors. Chick's Magic Bus leaves Countdown central at 8.30pm and university library at 8.35pm, returning to town after the show.
• Nadia Reid with Grawlixes and Hana Fahy, tomorrow at Taste Merchants (Lower Stuart St), 4pm doors. Presales available from undertheradar.co.nz.
• The Chills live with special guests, Friday, July 10, at Chick's Hotel, Port Chalmers, 8.30pm doors. Chick's Magic Bus leaves Countdown central at 8.30pm, university library at 8.35pm, returning to town after the show.
