Live Review: HTRK, New War

As New War take the stage, a handful of people sit around the edge of the dancefloor enjoying the funk-inspired beats being provided by in-between DJ Conrad Standish. However, as soon as New War start to play, these people are quickly blown away. Comprising a singer, bassist, drummer and keys player (who asserts his presence), New War deliver a loud, droney set that makes life difficult for the sound tech as screeches and clipping are constant. Nevertheless, as the time edges closer to HTRK's arrival onstage, New War find themselves performing to a crowd who appreciates their enthusiasm.

In the midst of swirling smoke and minimal lights, HTRK open their set with Give It Up from their new LP Psychic 9 – 5 Club. Love is the central theme of the album and the word features predominately throughout all tracks. Furthermore, the album explores core themes that HTRK have delved into before, namely sexuality, angst and personal loss. Everyone huddles, edging closer to the stage where Nigel Yang and Jonnine Standish stand side by side, portraying intense intimacy. Yang plays keys and manipulates levels continually throughout the set; Standish does the same while providing the vocals that define HTRK's sound. Both Yang and Standish display deep understanding and trust in each other, which is only natural considering HTRK have been playing together since 2003. Love Is Distraction, like all HTRK's tracks, leaves the audience transfixed, silently observing Yang and Standish as they work seamlessly together to deliver deliberate sounds and rhythms. Standouts of the set include Soul Sleep, Blue Sunshine and Chinatown Style. Each track delivers a new take on the sultry HTRK vibe. The music feels lazy yet it is anything but; each bass kick, synth note and drum pad strike takes you deeper. HTRK are best experienced with your eyes closed and this is heightened by the people around you silently doing the same.

The end of the set arrives far too quickly as Standish says, “Thank you. We're HTRK.” Both band members leave the stage as quietly as they arrived. The suddenness of their departure is jarring as people slowly come back to reality and realise that it is actually all over. A cheer goes up for an encore, but Mister Standish quickly puts on some beats to cement the fact HTRK are not returning