Album Review: Moaning Lisa – Do You Know Enough? (2018 EP)

Canberra alt-rockers Moaning Lisa are back with Do You Know Enough?a collection of love, heartbreak and reinvention that explores the journey of a queer girl manoeuvring her way through the ups and downs of her early twenties. The product of four music graduates, Moaning Lisa found their purpose in making loud noises together, operating on the edge of grunge, crafting an atmosphere that is entirely their own. Co-released by Father/Daughter (US) and Hysterical Records (AU), their new EP, Do You Know Enough? is out tomorrow October 19th.

Each track on Do You Know Enough? plays an integral part in forming the emotional narrative of the record. Organic and unhurried, the songwriting draws inspiration from shoegaze, punk and heavier alternative rock, with each track possessing anthemic characteristics. Answering their own question throughout the record, Do You Know Enough? leaves the listener open to the possibilities of the future.

The first track “Carrie (I Want a Girl)” is a heavy and impressive start to the record. Described as a punk call-to-arms of queer women, this song is an honest depiction of yearning and desire with instrumentals as strong as the lyrics. “Good” is a brilliant shoegaze track that encompasses everything you could want in a feel-good love song. Only two songs in and the musical and lyrical talents of Moaning Lisa are bleedingly obvious.

“Lily” changes it up slightly, providing more of a rock-ballad style to tug on the heartstrings. The vocals on this song are insanely beautiful and are perfectly accompanied by the music, resulting in a track that you won’t be forgetting any time soon. “Comfortable” is an ode to being single. Expertly composed, the lyrics shine through on this track, resulting in an empowering anthem that is bound to strike a chord with many. The final song on the record, “Sun” begins gently, ascending into a striking eruption of electric guitars and outstanding vocals, the perfect end to the record’s emotional journey

Without a shadow of a doubt, Moaning Lisa are set to become the next big thing in Australian music. This record is beyond impressive, brilliantly combining everything that makes punk, shoegaze and alternative rock so great. The songwriting ability of the Canberra four-piece is unquestionable, producing tunes that are bound to become audience favourites in no time.

FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)

Do You Know Enough? is out Friday 19th October via Father/Daughter and Hysterical Records. For more information follow Moaning Lisa on Facebook. You can also catch the band on the road over the next couple of months, dates below:

Moaning Lisa Tour Dates

Oct 20: Go Here Go There Festival @ Boogie Mountain, Sydney
Oct 21: Mountain Sounds Launch Party @ The Beery, Terrigal
Nov 03: Against The Grain @ The Foundry, Brisbane
Nov 08: The Chippendale Hotel, Sydney
Nov 17: Spilt Milk Festival @ Commonwealth Park, Canberra
Nov 23: The Totel Hotel, Melbourne
Nov 24: Shaka Fest @ Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast
Dec 08: Stonecutters Festival @ Fenn Place, Adelaide