Album Review: The Delta Riggs – Modern Pressure

It feels like Melbourne’s Delta Riggs are always being played or being talked about. Elliott Hammond and his players appear to be endlessly making music, touring or enjoying their success with a high rotation of songs on the airwaves. Wherever they are and whatever they’re doing, they are either on the scene or just out of earshot. The previous three albums of catchy indie-rock gems from the Riggs have hooked in listeners instantly. 

But their latest Modern Pressure throws in some darker tones and subject matter amid the usual brash vocals and colourful, rollicking rock. Single Fake That, Don’t You Frown and Settle Down pad out the 12 tracks with what we love hearing from the Riggs – jangly riffs, sunny outlooks and Hammond’s Mick Jagger-esque, ranting vocal. In between these and some surprising sombre ballads (Modern Pressure, Push And Pull, Tom’s Song), some of the tracks have a tendency to come and go without offering anything rousing, but, on the whole, it’s a fun, interesting listen.