SCARED OF SHARKS 'DOUBLE HAPPINESS' REVIEW

Double Happiness is out now!

Image: Supplied.

Double Happiness, the debut EP from Australia’s Scared of Sharks, is a ragged burst of punk‑rock energy that weaves in threads of post‑hardcore, alt‑folk, and self‑deprecating humour. The result is a sound that is unpredictable, and unmistakably authentic. Recorded live‑to‑tape in mid‑2023 at Stranded Rec. Studios, the EP consistently projects the wild spark of the trio’s live performances - tight yet untamed, full of colour and chaos. Cody Munro Moore’s recording and mixing (with mastering by Owen Penglis) lets each note breathe with grit, and each stomp thud with presence, whilst taking on a lo-fi approach to the production and mixing.

Stumble kicks things off with a cinematic radio‑static intro before exploding into chaotic drums and riff‑heavy punk-pop. It's a relatable anthem of stumbling forward with charm. Made of Snow shifts gears - slower, sharper, post‑hardcore - layered with guitar riffs and angst that lands emotionally. Last Train to Wyong is a standout: a cheeky, groove-driven post‑punk gem inspired by drummer Tim Shady’s epic mischance - catching the wrong train after losing everything at a rave. The “Democracy Manifest Bloke” reference is a mascot moment of Aussie humour.

We are offered some alt-folk respite on Cauliflower, a mellow, more acoustic breather amid the adrenaline, revealing the bands versatility and restraint. Is Water Wet? poses as a late‑night punk comedy - born from friendly banter, a tongue-in-cheek highlight of their irreverent wit. The EP closes with its title track, a raw, summative burst of grungy garage‑punk, reasserting the power trio format and solidifying the EP's thematic cohesion.

Double Happiness takes its name seriously. It delivers twice the thrills in half the usual time expected from a debut. It’s rough-hewn, unpredictable, witty, and, most importantly, utterly alive. Scared of Sharks thrive on telling real Aussie stories -blokes, beach towns, raves gone wrong - and their music feels most alive when it brings that honesty. Their live-to-tape choice isn’t just stylistic - it’s their truth. The EP introduces a band finding its voice and laying its cards down: a punchy mix of racket and storytelling, with a vibe that’s raw, real, and ready to break out.

Double Happiness is out now!