Rising from the depths of a Tugun basement home studio, Colourtone is the rough-and-ready project of local Gold Coast duo Dave Fitzpatrick and Jon Fieldhouse. Proving that you don't need all the bells and whistles to make something magnetic, the band recorded and produced their latest offering on their own, combining a DIY sound with searing rock anthemics to deliver ‘Horizon’.
The opener, ‘Whistleblower’, immediately throws down the gauntlet, carving out a stark alternative-rock style that resonates perfectly with classic Aussie rock sensibilities. It’s an immersive, wonderfully expressive experience that sets the tone for a dynamic record. The raw energy of the band is fully evident on tracks like the single ‘Headlight’. It crosses genre boundaries, hitting a sonically massive soundscape that blends classic alt-rock foundations with a contemporary, powerful feel. It speaks volumes for the band's no-boundaries approach while keeping things satisfyingly familiar.
Elsewhere, the album offers satisfying shifts in mood: ‘Lullaby’ is a grunge-heavy cascade of guitars and sneering vocals, contrasting with the funk-laced, deep-rolling groove of album highlight ‘Leave It All Behind’. Even the short, rough-and-ready musical intermission, ‘Purge’, serves its purpose well.
The true power lies in the closing anthems: ‘Jesus Crisis’, ‘Home’, and ‘Broken Pieces’ chart a constantly evolving journey. They channel a classic punk aesthetic before shifting into melodic, almost bright moments, culminating in a titanic finale where jagged guitars collide with distant vocals, leaving a chaotic sense of wonder.
Stripping back waves of alt-rock and distilling its ethos into a medley of styles, ‘Horizon’ is an album of extremes. Laced with heavy influences of punk, grunge, and shoegaze, its thirteen tracks see impactful songwriting and musical grit in abundance.
You can stream the album now, and for more, join the band on Instagram and TikTok.
