Eunuchs - Harbour Century Review
Eunuchs' Harbour Century charts an audacious and immersive musical voyage, weaving Sydney's essence into a lush tapestry of orchestral elegance, angular riffs, and narrative depth.
Eunuchs’ latest release, Harbour Century, is a strikingly ambitious album that stands out as one of 2024’s most impressive musical offerings. Hailing from Sydney, Australia, this concept album captures the essence of the city through an epic, multifaceted journey that melds elegant orchestration with powerful, angular riffs and vocals. The result is an album that oscillates between moments of quiet beauty and a cacophony of noise and distortion, never allowing the listener a moment of respite.
Harbour Century opens with "Magic Death Sea Nemesis," a vivid tale of a boy thrown into the jaws of a sea creature, only to poison it and enrich the man responsible. This track sets the tone for the album’s narrative complexity and thematic depth. "Pat a Dragon" follows, presenting a clever twist on a multi-level marketing scam so convincing it even ensnares an omniscient deity. The song's playful lyrics and intricate arrangement reflect the band’s ability to blend satire with sophisticated musicianship.
The haunting "Estuary of Dreams" draws from an unusual true story involving a local sword swallower and his claim of keeping saltwater crocodiles. The song's eerie atmosphere and poignant melody evoke a sense of nostalgia and wonder, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. "Siren" tackles the theme of captivity head-on, exploring the impracticalities and moral quandaries of dating a mermaid. The orchestral flourishes and emotive vocals emphasise the album’s recurring themes of desire and confinement.
"Magnificent Stallion" expands on these themes with a narrative about a forbidden romance between a horse breeder and a neighbor. The song’s lush instrumentation and dynamic progression highlight Eunuchs’ ability to tell compelling stories through their music."Gnome and Fortune" shifts gears to celebrate the thrill of gambling, urging listeners to take risks—but responsibly. Its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it one of the album’s more accessible tracks, without sacrificing depth.
The frantic "Bird Angel Dynasty" examines themes of legacy and power through the eyes of birds. Its rapid pace and intricate arrangements showcase the band’s technical prowess and imaginative songwriting. "Hierophant" remains an enigma, adding to the album’s mystique. Its cryptic lyrics and unconventional structure invite listeners to ponder its meaning, reflecting the band’s penchant for ambiguity.
The album’s centerpiece, "Heroin King," is a 17-minute opus that delves into grandiose self-perceptions and the quixotic acts people engage in to uphold their self-image. The song’s sprawling narrative and intricate instrumentation encapsulate the album’s maximalist approach, making it a standout track.
Described as an "underwater experiment," Eunuchs' sound is characterised by its fluidity and depth, often incorporating hydrophone recordings of Sydney Harbour. This aquatic motif enhances the album’s thematic cohesion, creating a sense of immersion for the listener.
With Harbour Century Eunuchs have crafted a record that is both grandiose and intimate, blending genres and narratives to create a sound that is unique to them. This album not only showcases the band’s musical and lyrical talents but also positions them as a formidable force in the post-punk scene.