Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes emerged out of Melbourne, Australia in 2009 with a retro-soul sound influenced as much by Amy Winehouse as Aretha Franklin and Big Mama Thornton. Front-and-center is Browne, whose booming voice is absolutely unmistakeable and dynamic, capable of deep swoons and soaring peaks. But some of the credit has to go towards the Bangin’ Rackettes themselves: three backing vocalists well-versed in doo-wop and old soul. The backing band can shift on a dime too, smooth one moment and explosive the next.
The group’s 2011 debut Baby On The Bus caught lots of love for the infectious single “Love Letter,” and they’re set to release the follow-up tomorrow, titled Love Cliques. It’s just an EP, but it can certainly tide you over until album number two. Recently, Browne and the Rackettes stopped by our Studio 1A to show off some of these new songs, and “Jenny” was a highlight of the live session. With its start-and-stop beat, the song builds a heady steam of momentum, perfect for Browne as she steals the show once again with a powerhouse performance.
Watch their live version of “Love Letter” below, and download “Jenny” below the video:
