Album Review: Verge Collection - Flaneur

A 'flaneur' is roughly defined as a person who strolls through life absorbing the nuances of society, a detached observer relishing their freedom while nonetheless helping to define what's going on around them. Kerouac was a flaneur, Dylan probably too.

When Verge Collection's frontman Ben Arnold yelps "My life's pretty much carefree/You know me/I just did it for the story" in the super-catchy For The Story he too places himself in these ranks, his position hammered home by the dismal suburban pictures painted throughout The Ladies. Although he's plenty happy to put his private travails out there as well: Long List recounts a "long list of my regrets", Black Dog (Undone) discusses mental health with a disarming nonchalance and the protagonist in Sleep It Off should really see a doctor.

Musically, the Perth four-piece's debut is as refreshingly breezy as the Freo Doctor on a stinking hot day, infectious tracks like the cheerfully world-weary Feelin' Old and the relentless jangle of Long Comedown setting the tone. There are sporadic horns throughout and strings embellish relatively maudlin closer Last Ciggie but their default setting is upbeat indie rock, and the regular contrast with Arnold's gritty observations only adds genuine substance.