“Efficiency” is a standout new track from Australian artist Sam Wrangle, who achieves a stellar rock sound that blends post-punk and new-wave influence. It’s also a stirrer thematically, inspired by the artist’s upbringing and the placement of familial expectations — which can be challenging in the moment, though ultimately is a reflection of personal differences and love. The production also features drummer/producer Sam Deehan (Fenrir, Square).
“It’s taken me awhile to appreciate expectations,” Wrangle’s vocals begin amidst shimmering guitars, exuding an enjoyable introspection on those aforementioned expectations placed on us growing up. An enjoyable realization shows in the ensuing verses, with a twangier rock-friendly backing, as Wrangle lets out: “‘Cos even if we’re different people, beats believing in a carbon copy.” Rather than living in a world full of mundane hiveminds and perhaps less conflict, there’s a celebration of people’s differences — and how that, alongside love, can result in those standards. The production dazzles alongside, across both fervent “efficiency’s the word” proclamations and jangly contemplations.
Wrangle elaborates more on the track’s inspiration, below:
“Written in a Queensland town called Gayndah in 2020. A post-punk/new wave tune with a propulsive strut courtesy of drummer/producer Sam Deehan (Fenrir, Square). Lyrically it’s about growing up ‘an army brat’ where efficiency and productivity is of paramount importance, sometimes to the detriment of activities that are ‘good for the soul’ like creativity and faith.
I turned 30 in 2020, and up until that point I often couldn’t understand why my father had such high expectations while I was growing (he still does!), but I really couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling childhood. It was stable, I grew up privileged, and – much like the lyric at the end of the first verse – “I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The chorus line: “Even if we’re different people / beats believing in a carbon copy” is exactly how I feel, me and dad are super different, but it’s preferable (in my opinion) to being identical.”
The track marks another success from Sam Wrangle, who has caught our ears in the past with standouts like “Future Copy” and “Cast Away.”
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
