Up-and-coming Brisbane alternative rock quartet Garden Eyes return with their second release of the year, the heart-wrenching new single “Contest“.
“Contest” is a stripped-back sorrowful love song that lyrically navigates the realities of loving someone struggling with depression. Its bare instrumentation amplifies the melancholic nature of the lyrics, which tackle the exhaustion, guilt, and hidden hurt that grows when love becomes entangled with mental health.
The track arrives as a natural companion to their February release “Speak Slow“, continuing the band’s exploration of complex relationships. “Speak Slow” captured the push and pull of imbalance, self-doubt and a self-destructive connection. Listen here.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Jackson Deasy (East Capri), “Contest” and “Speak Slow” follows a string of live shows for the band, including a couple of support slots for Bloom and Avoid (US) on The Light We Chase Australian Tour earlier in the year, alongside a hometown set supporting The Local Romance.
For fans of Movements and The Story So Far, Garden Eyes have already impressively amassed over 120,000 online streams across just four tracks, earning ongoing support from triple j, Unearthed and community radio, while sharing stages with much-loved acts from across Australia.
On triple j Unearthed, Garden Eyes have drawn comparisons to artists that place them well within the modern emo and post-alternative landscape. triple j Home and Hosed’s Anika Luna reviewed “Speak Slow” with four stars, saying: “You know it’s the calm before the storm in those quieter more melodic moments – Garden Eyes this is crushingly beautiful!” and Steph Hughes awarded four stars to sophomore single “Cold Silhouette“ saying: “There’s a shimmer in these punk rock tones. The way the balance of light and heavy works in here is excellent and hooked me right in.”
Stay tuned for more from the rising alt-emo stars. “Contest” and “Speak Slow” are out now and streaming everywhere.
