Victorian duo This Way North combine the flamboyant, powerful, and percussive drumming of Cat Leahy’s and the intricate guitar tones and slide guitar chops of Leisha Jungalwalla. They’ve released a run of EPs over the last few years, culminating in the release of their debut album Punching Underwater yesterday (Feb 8th).

Co-produced by award-winning artist Ainslie Wills and esteemed engineer and producer Jono Steer, the album is a brilliant example of spirit, verve, rich melodies and musicality combining to form a fascinating hybrid of indie rock, bluesy Americana and funky folk-rock and pop. You can hear the echoes of Warpaint, Mia Dyson, Ruby Boots, Jen Cloher, Margaret Glaspy, St Vincent and more running through the album’s nine songs.

To celebrate the album’s release, they’ve released the video clip for the title-track single, shot by Richard Iskov in a century old pool in a prison. “Shooting this film clip in a 100 year old pool at the 150 year old Old Beechworth Goal late at night was an interesting experience,” recalls Leisha. “We didn’t try to look too hard in to the dark or up into the empty windows, incase we saw something creepy! The pool was installed in the 1920’s with the inmates accomplices on the outside throwing over contraband items into the pool to try and avoid the authorities“. 

The song, which addresses imposter syndrome and learning that it’s ok to ask for help, navigates nimble rhythms and infectious, tightly-arranged vocals as it goes big on glam guitar chords in the chorus. It’s a glistening pop-rock dispatch with a playful sheen of fuzz and irresistible hooks.