Daily Dose: Methyl Ethel, “Scream Whole”

Daily Dose is your daily source for the song you absolutely, positively need to hear every day. Curated by the Paste Music Team.

Perth psych-pop and art-rock trio Methyl Ethel have released their first new single since their sophomore album, Everything Is Forgotten, which dropped via 4AD last year.

“Scream Whole” opens with a glistening keyboard riff, and we’re soon reacquainted with lead vocalist Jake Webb’s peculiar vocal tone and its unmistakable psych-pop sheen. The track builds layers of lively, danceable art-pop with their funky bass line, urgent synths and quirky vocals while adding the vibrant eccentricities and soaring melodies that we’ve come to expect from one of Australia’s most essential current bands.

Their electrifying synth-pop might fool you with its upbeat immediacy, but its lyrics tell a much darker tale. Webb matter-of-factly sets the scene for the spooky dance floor-filler and its accompanying video: “That cold sweat. That swollen throat. That sick feeling bubbling up from your guts.”

After playing with the likes of The Drums, Sunflower Bean and The Lemon Twigs in the States, Methyl Ethel will return to North America next March for several headlining dates.