Windwaker have released ‘do or die’, the latest cut from their forthcoming third album ‘smile, you’re on camera’, and the Melbourne heavyweights aren’t exactly tiptoeing around the state of the world.
Landing today, ‘do or die’ folds grinding guitar grooves, hip-hop-influenced vocals, electronics, falsetto and Liam Guinane’s harsher edges into the genre-blurring sound Windwaker have spent the past few years sharpening.
Underneath all that movement, however, sits a song about something considerably uglier: division.
Windwaker ‘do or die’ video
Windwaker confront the ‘culture war’
Rather than simply picking apart political tribalism, Windwaker argue that the constant cycle of ideological conflict can distract people from deeper class divisions.
‘Everywhere we look there is conflict, we are surrounded by it and have never been so divided as a humanity,’ the band says. ‘Wars between countries, toxic online discourse over ideology, countries divided over political policy from within, what we think is right and wrong has become a tribe identity and we are at war with one another. Leaders will call it a ‘culture war’ when in reality it’s a way of keeping us distracted from class war that has been happening for decades. ‘do or die’ points out the division we’re currently facing and urges the people to embrace the tribe mentality but to unify over the common enemy of leaders who don’t serve our best interests.’
It gives ‘do or die’ some teeth beyond its immediate hooks. Musically, it also continues Windwaker’s refusal to sit comfortably inside one corner of modern metal.
The track will appear on ‘smile, you’re on camera’, arriving October 23rd through Civilians/Fearless Records. The 12-track record follows ‘HYPERVIOLENCE’, with Windwaker pushing towards a grittier and more guitar forward approach this time around.
They’ll put that material through its live test almost immediately, launching their biggest Australian headline tour to date days after the album arrives. The Pretty Wild will make their first Australian appearances on the run, with RinRin and DREGG also joining the bill.
Smile, You’re On Camera Track Listing
- Low
- Closer
- Click. (feat. RinRin)
- Do or Die
- DNA
- Burn
- Victory Lap
- Lie to Me
- Wait for Me
- Loser (feat. Mikaila Delgado)
- Overlord
- Some Days
Pre order here.
‘smile, you’re on camera’ Australian tour dates
- Friday, October 30th – Perth, Magnet House 18+ * (DREGG not appearing)
- Sunday, November 1st – Adelaide, The Gov (Licensed All Ages)
- Monday, November 2nd – Melbourne, Northcote Theatre 18+
- Thursday, November 5th – Sydney, Metro Theatre (Licensed All Ages)
- Friday, November 6th – Newcastle, King St 18+
- Saturday, November 7th – Brisbane, The Tivoli 18+
Find out more and pick up your tickets here.
MORE IN News
