- Brisbane-based power-poppers Babaganouj have just debuted their new EP Pillar Of Light. Over their five-year existence they have consistently proved their quality as both a live act and recording unit. Having released the singles Can't Stop and Hit Song last year, and Do Rite With Me Tonite earlier this year, 2016 is set to be their biggest year yet with an ambitious plan to release three EPs. Each EP is intended to showcase each member’s vocal and writing abilities. If this initial EP is anything to go by Babaganouj is gonna bring the pain in 2k16, in the form of infectious pop bangers with plenty of substance to them.

First track Do Rite By Me Tonite, realised with Melbourne producer Gareth Parton, is a raucous pop tune. The bass is fuzzed out with the lead and rhythm guitars equally noisy. Despite this the song remains light and breezy, the vocals of Charles Sale and Harriet Pilbeam offsetting the undeniable heaviness of the instrumentation.

Awhile, produced by Magoo at Applewood, has more acoustic guitars and is even breezier than its predecessor. Ruby McGregor deftly takes the vocal lead and Pilbeam provides sweet accompaniment later in the track. It reminds me of She Bangs The Drums by the Stone Roses in the best possible way. Some suitably light ‘dah dah dah dah dahs’ in the chorus are the icing on the cake.

Would You Like Me, written by Pilbeam, provides yet another angle. The wobbly-guitars instantly remind me of MBV or Aussie shoegaze band Swirl. That being said it doesn’t really sound like either of those bands. Effects on Pilbeam’s vocals add intrigue. It has a far more noise-laden feel, and builds up to a ripping climax.

Dunno What To Say closes the EP on a different note again. The barrage of electric guitar is packed away in lieu of a stripped back acoustic feel. Sale takes the lead and the backup vocals to great effect. All though it feels minimalistic compared to the other tracks, it’s still ornate, with subtle layers of guitar and percussion throughout. It evokes Big Star’s Watch the Sunrise.

Pillar Of Light is an outstanding start to Babaganouj’s proposed EP trilogy.

Brisbane’s purveyors of pop have knocked it out of the park again, delivering sugary sounds but with plenty of grunt and depth. They draw from a rich lineage, from robust ‘70’s power-pop to the jangle of Flying Nun and the rock of Half A Cow. Fans can expect to see much more of Babaganouj this year I suspect, and for the better.

- Hill Folk.