Album Review: Deep Heat - Oh Mercy

If you're a fan of the acoustic-pop tunes that Oh Mercy favoured on their first two albums, and have since been salivating for album number three, then you're in for a very big surprise. While their previous release, Great Barrier Grief, was celebrated for its summery ambiance, Deep Heat delves into a realm of silky, groovy rhythms. I'm sure a change of tune wasn't encouraged by fans, nor necessarily required; yet it's this unexpected shift that makes the album the timely gem that it is. Instead of producing another breezy, acoustic LP, they've taken a risk and surprised us all. The result is an exciting, innovative record with a huge presence.

There's definitely an air of 'cool' that douses the entire album. Recorded in America with producer Burke Reid (The Drones, The Mess Hall), Deep Heat has fun with a range of sounds, from '80s-inspired dance in Rebel Beats, to big-band in Fever before pulling off a blend of rock and reggae in the incredibly addictive Still Making Me Pay. Despite the range of genres, the transitions are seamless between each track. Whilst the indie-funk in the title track Deep Heat varies considerably to the glossy prelim of Rebel Beats, the changeover is fluid.

Singer/songwriter and the face of the four-piece Melbourne band is Alexander Gow, whose charisma is felt on this recording more than ever. There's a playful confidence that he's gained from recording such a theatrical album, from Elvis-inspired vocal hiccups amid the steady swaggering tune of title track Deep Heat, to momentary screams in the chorus of Fever. Whether it's Gow's new quirky self-assurance that completes the album, or just the refreshing sound, one thing's for sure – they've taken a risk and nailed it.