The first single from Melbourne singer-songwriter Ali Barter’s upcoming AB-EP, Hypercolour, merges the dreamy rock of previous tracks Run You Down and Community with colourful retro synth elements to unleash a heavier rock sound.
Rising past personal hardships, Ali Barter embraces self-determination on her latest song Hypercolour, marked by delicate vocals and a bold rock edge.
After vigorously gigging around the Melbourne pub circuit, Ali Barter developed a large following and the acclaim of triple J Unearthed with the release of her debut EP Trip in 2012. In early 2013 Ali began collaborating with folk duo Holy Holy’s Oscar Dawson who lent his skills as a songwriter and producer on her sophomore EP Community.
Having previously relied on a mixed bag of friends to provide live backing, Ali put together a regular band in 2014. Since their inception the group have been busy honing their sound touring the east coast supporting the likes of The War On Drugs, Phosphorescent, The Rubens, Cloud Control, Husky and Alpine.
Written by Ali over a couple of years, the lyrics for the verses of Hypercolour were composed following the end of a failing relationship and reflect the feeling of slowly losing confidence. The chorus was written a year and a half later and was inspired by feelings of self-determination and the realisation that strength and confidence sought from the outside could come from within. While the song concerns personal relationships Ali describes the track as less of a breakup song and more of a “wake-up song.”
Drawing from an expansive range of styles, Ali Barter’s previous helpings of indie pop have been characterised by a sound analogous to the sparse atmospheric art rock of Californian four piece The War on Drugs, mixed with the indie folk of Cat Power. Looking back to the classic rock of Ali’s youth and the infectious pop pastiche of Jack Ladder and the Dreamlanders for inspiration, Hypercolour moves away from darker tones and brooding melancholy to create a no-holds-barred retro rock track. This said, even with the aggressive rock edge, the delicate melody of Ali’s vocal remains, as always, a focal point of her music.
Exploiting a newfound band dynamic, the track gives the synths and guitars of instrumental section some space to let loose, gradually layering in catchy pop hooks that crescendo into to a bombastic and climactic conclusion. While there is certainly a fist-pumping merger of anthemic 70s arena rock and uplifting 80s synth pop, Ali’s pop sensitivity and knack for songwriting keeps things from going too over the top and ensures that the lovelorn pop track never completely loses touch with Ali’s affinity for the subdued.
Ali Barter will be launching Hypercolour at Melbourne’s The Workers Club on the 16th of July, and Sydney’s Hibernian House on 18th of July.
