Kiss My Culture

Mystery Jets Radland-ing In Singapore

When the English indie band packed their bags for the great American southwest, they returned from the dirt roads and rustic Southern charm with a fourth studio album in their pick up truck.

“We came to America for the same reason anyone else comes here —to escape, to find a new way of doing things, to grow up, to look for new places. Right now, it’s here (Austin, Texas),” said frontman, Blaine Harrison.

Here’s a band from a little county down the River Thames known as Eel Pie Islands —England’s home to blues and jazz in the 60s— who have stretched themselves so far musically over the years that they’ve evolved to become synonymous to their band’s name.

Whilst their first two albums, Zootime and Twenty One were more dance floor-friendly, with Dim Mak releasing the former and Erol Alkan producing the latter, their third album Serotonin drove them towards indie-pop territory. Radlands, their Texas-inspired album, nods to a different sound altogether.

Blaine explained in a recent interview with Time Out Tokyo. “I don’t think we went to Texas because we wanted to make a Texas-sounding record: I think it was just the furthest place from London we could possibly think of.” It was, and he added that there wasn’t a master plan to writing the songs, but rather, “the process was completely organic.”

From the Southern rock-led title track to “Someone Purer”, and the ballad of “Sister Everett” to the Fleetwood Mac sounding “You Had Me At Hello”, the 11-track Radlands purveyed the distinct indie-disco flavors that Mystery Jets is known for while blending seamlessly to the musical roots of Austin. Stream their album below.

Embark on the new sounds of Mystery Jets as they play at the Hard Rock Cafe (#05-01 HPL House, 50 Cuscaden Rd. 6235 6256) on Sep 14, 10.30pm. $70 inclusive of one drink at the door; $60 from EventClique.