With Yothu Yindi in their bloodlines, the band have delivered a hooky and uptempo first album with a sound that’s all their own
Photograph: Luke HeneryPhotograph: Luke Heneryt would be an understatement to bestow the cliche “long-awaited” upon King Stingray’s self-titled debut album. The Yirrkala band from north-east Arnhem Land have teased us with five singles. The first of them, Hey Wanhaka – which means “what’s happening?” – was released in late 2020; Get Me Out, Milkumana, Camp Dog and Let’s Go have all followed.
The five aforementioned singles make up a full half of this album’s 10 tracks, with Get Me Out and Milkumana both nominated for Apra awards as song of the year. They have been all over the airwaves – and deservedly so. The fact that their self-describedwill already be familiar to many listeners in no way detracts from this sparkling record.
Indeed, it’s great to have them together in one place, fleshed out by five more songs that sit well alongside one another. Most bands would be proud to have a collection like this on a greatest hits album. But there’s no loss of continuity or context, with a natural ebb and flow reflecting this band’s relatively short existence.
It also highlights their deep roots. Yunupingu and Kellaway, brothers by adopted kinship, have known each other since childhood and play like it. They make everything sound easy – listening to the instantly appealing hook of Lupa, the opening track, and it’s hard to believe it hasn’t been a single, too.
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