After the release of their 2025 album Breaking Into Heaven, Gold Coast six-piece Selve are back with Breaking Outta Heaven, a companion EP made up of five tracks. Recorded during the same Abbey Road sessions that gave us Breaking Into Heaven, this definitely feels like an extension of the album, to the point where these songs could have comfortably lived on a deluxe edition instead. Releasing them as their own EP is an interesting choice, but the connection between the two releases is undeniable from the first track.
“Heaven’s Open” kicks things off on a high. It’s a bright, summery song that feels effortless to listen to. It’s got a little bit of funk woven through its indie rock foundation, with that unmistakable Australian indie feel that takes you right back to the mid-2010s. It’s the strongest opening the EP could have asked for.
“Creature of the Night” brings the momentum down a bit. It sounds good; there’s no denying that, but in the context of the EP, it drifts by without leaving much of an impression. The slower pace is not the issue; it just feels like it’s missing something to really pull the listener in. It works perfectly in the background, but never fully captured my attention.
Things pick up again with “Desire”. There’s a little more bite here, pushing further into rock territory with a subtle 80s rock influence giving it a bit of character. It’s one of the more memorable songs on this release, and it flows well into “Run Boy Run,” another standout that keeps the energy flowing. The layered instrumentation gives it plenty of depth, and the groove makes it simply a really fun song.
Closing track “Rude Awakening” takes a slightly different approach. Opening with piano, it gradually builds into something bigger- a fitting way to wrap things up. The soft vocals and slow-burn arrangement give the song a satisfying payoff without becoming too overblown.
Breaking Outta Heaven captures that carefree, windows-down feeling that Australian indie bands did so well a decade ago, and Selve pull it off naturally. If you enjoyed Breaking Into Heaven, there’s every chance you’ll enjoy this too, although this release leans a little further into the chilled indie-rock sound than the more upbeat, almost pop moments of its predecessor.
That’s probably where this EP lands as a whole. It’s good, really good- but not groundbreaking. It won’t completely stop you in your tracks and leave your jaw on the floor, but it’s an enjoyable fifteen minutes with a couple of genuinely great songs. While it doesn’t quite justify existing separately from Breaking Into Heaven, it still feels like a worthwhile addition to that body of work.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Breaking Outta Heaven is out now – listen HERE
