Album Review: The Great Emu War Casualties – Public Sweetheart No.1

After going on a side quest into The Great Emu War, which inspired the name of this Sydney-based indie band, I gained a greater appreciation for Public Sweetheart No.1.

The album exists far from that 1930s event – read up on it; trust me, you won’t regret losing a few hours reflecting on this battle of man vs (his own) nature – the latter does play a role in the album lyrically. Right from openers Ashes and Old Dog, you quickly get a feel of its observational, organic ambience, one that fans of Home Counties and Adult DVD will appreciate.

Some tracks hit me like a punch to the solar plexus, especially Donut and Turn My Lights Out, which got me feeling like the first time I heard The Go-Betweens. It exudes a similar fusion of driving melodies and wistful lyrics, a nostalgia for memories that aren’t yours, delivered in an easy-going style.

And while the album has other antecedents in 90s indie music, such as the inventive era of Britpop and the lo-fi textures of American college rock, the stories within songs like Don’t Be Sad and the two mentioned above exemplify that particular strain of songwriting that made Robert Forster and Grant McLennan lasting indie icons. It’s easy to imagine people looking back at Public Sweetheart No.1 in the same way, as it has a creative spirit and emotional energy that echoes, not mimics, their greatest work.

As an aside, it’s well worth spending some time on the Bandcamp edition, as the band has written individual pen pictures from each track. That added insight into the creative process behind the songs adds to your understanding and their emotional impact, a nice touch that allows you to feel a greater part of the album.

Band member Joe Jackson has spoken about the album as “a blunt, honest self-assessment” of his own behaviour, how that affected others, and, in turn, how he feels about that. It is far from being self-absorbed, however, often down to the bluntness and openness of the lyrics. Unlike the actual Emu War, Public Sweetheart No.1 is far from futile, working as an apologia, and a guide to how we can look at ourselves without fear or pity.

Public Sweetheart No.1 was released on the 27th of March and is available to download on Bandcamp, and stream on SoundCloud and Spotify. To learn more about the band and the LP, connect with The Great Emu War Casualties on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.