Artist: Ball Park Music
Album: Weirder And Weirder
Label: Prawn Records
Release Date: May 27th 2022
Reviewer: Belinda Mann

Ball Park Music are a five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane. Their ability to synchronise diverse genres and their knack for carrying sadness with honest wit is extraordinary and all round fun! The band have had a tremendous journey since forming in 2008 while studying music at University. Across nine years, they have produced seven albums – the most recent Weirder & Weirder released today to the joy of fans earlier than first anticipated.

Frontman for the band, Sam Cromack said “We spent more than a year pouring our heart and soul into this record and we are beyond excited for everyone to hear it. After more than two years of our industry suffering non-stop setbacks, we’ve decided to give this situation the middle finger and run in the other direction. To honour all our beautiful listeners, we have made the decision to pull the release of Weirder & Weirder forward. Our highest priority is getting this new record to our fans and hitting the road in June to celebrate the only thing that has ever mattered – the music.”

Opening track Manny is so much fun! As a protest song, it’s expressive and talks to a call to action against mobile phones and the concept of how reliant we are on them. It’s stirring and amusing with a beat and a riff that gets you quickly tapping. Overall its a solid tune. After Manny is Pleb Rock, which is filled with the affable vocal tones of Sam Cromack, reminding listeners that the band know how to make great music.

I can’t go past Stars In My Eyes as being the standout track. Ball Park Music have such a great knack of keeping everything that works from previous records and then adding fresh sounds on every album, they’re so innovative, I am in awe. Stars In My Eyes is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head. Beginning lightly with simple and minimalistic guitars, Sam’s dreamy vocals then build you up to the drums and keys creating an uplifting anthemic explosion. I cannot wait to hear this song live when I see them next month.

Right Now is a super funky sing along and I’m totally here for it. It’s all about good times, fun times and reminds us to live in the moment. With the odd ‘woah’ and clap along opportunity it’s pure happiness. Caramel is another spellbinding track that draws you in from the get go. The harmonised vocals and synths delivering a highly spirited sound, fast paced and mesmerising. Sunscreen, their first single released off the album is a fast paced joy. The indie-rock track continues the quintessential Ball Park sound, with frontman Sam describing it as a “patchwork” of various writing sessions. 

I don’t believe there is a back track on this album. It’s attention grabbing, transfixing and an enthralling listen. The album is Ball Park Music through and through, unique in its own way but still so recognisable. With big retro vibes and an overall bright tone to their sound this one will be on my daily listen for some time to come, love it!

Weirder & Weirder track listing:

Manny
Pleb Rock
Stars In My Eyes
Right Now
Caramel
A Field To Break Your Back In
Weirder & Weirder
Sunscreen
Writing Hand
Beautiful Blueberries
The Present Moment
Three Little Words

Sam Cromack / vocals & guitar

Jennifer Boyce / bass 

Paul Furness / keys and trombone

Dean Hanson / guitar

Daniel Hanson / drums