RAAVE Tapes have been promising that their forthcoming second EP, due later this year, would hold plenty of surprises and it's proven true with the first single Stabs.
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The track released on Thursday was produced by Newcastle's Fraser Marshall and introduces a more epic and polished sound to the Newcastle three-piece's brand of dance-punk.
"It's definitely a turn in a new direction for us," frontman Joab Eastley said. "Bit of a left jab, that was the plan with this one. It's the first song off our next EP so we wanted to lead with something to show it's a going to have a little bit of variety on this one."
It's also the first Raave Tapes track where Eastley has shared vocal duties with bassist Lindsay O'Connell. However, O'Connell did sing backing vocals on the 2016 track Corridor, which was released before she joined the band.
"It's definitely a sign of things to come as she has a bloody wonderful voice and we're going to utilise that a hell of a lot more," Eastley said.
And on the cutting title. What does Stabs mean?
"It's trying to encapsulate that moment when you walk into a crowded space, a venue or pub by yourself and you try and find your mates," he said. "It's that moment of, 'shit I don't know where they are', and that chaotic anxious moment."
