Full disclosure, it’s been a while since this amazing local LP was released, but I feel like since the 180g pressing was my muse throughout my study break, I must give it some deserved love.

The Love Junkies are a Perth (Thornlie methinks?) based post-grunge three piece who hit hard, and rock equally as hard as some kind of Children Collide x Queens Of The Stone Age x Scratch Acid (melody, groove and freak outs respectively) hybrid sexy dangerous animal. Obviously such a beast would have to be muzzled, and that could somehow tie in to all of the drawled vocals? Alas, like fellow Perthians FOAM, The Love Junkies have been garnering a national following on the back of support from Triple J, as well as support slots for touring artists (The mother-fuckin’ Melvins soon, son) and a few festival slots.

Maybelline is an exciting album, and although there is still plenty of road to cover, it is a remarkable debut from a young and exciting band, it states their intent whilst nodding to their influences. ‘Hurt You’ shows of the bands diversity, they can slow it down a few notches, from say, ‘Oxymoron’ a groovy rock number full of self-loathing and catchy hooks.

Lyrically, there is a strong direction present across all tracks, as in ‘Oxymoron’ most songs discuss generally dark themes, with album closer ‘Ashtray’ delving into nuclear submarine depths. Frontman Mitch McDonald waxes personal about demons, whilst asking himself “Are there monsters under my bed or just voices that are in my head?” over a stripped down acoustic guitar which sounds like it was very loosely recorded to get through the desperation which is apparent in the words.

Title track ‘Maybelline’ I feel is one of the stronger tracks, being of the more aggressive tunes on the album utilising lotsa’ guitar induced noise and a pounding rhythm section. The pentultimate track ‘Black Sheep Blues’ has, as evidenced in the title, a great drubbing blues feel to it, and the slide guitar solo fits the song perfectly.

Of course, allusions to ‘the next Silverchair’ will be made, and with this in mind, give the album a listen, then buy it here or catch them at a show somewhere. I was lucky enough to see them at Groovin’ the Moo this year back to back with aforementioned FOAM and I was very impressed. Maybelline will be a sneaky for my end of year list, for sure.