Ravenistic - 'Cocktail Hour'

Ravenistic’s 'Cocktail Hour' is the kind of release grabs late 20th-century guitar-pop by the collar, reapplies the eyeliner, and sends it strutting back onto the dancefloor with something new to say.

Across four tightly wound tracks, the Australian songwriter delivers a set that feels lived-in and self-assured. There’s history here, and you can hear that experience in the way these songs are built. Every chorus lands with purpose, and every riff knows exactly when to bite.

Opener 'Sugar Baby' sets the tone with sharp-edged guitars and a vocal performance that balances vulnerability with steel. It’s the sound of someone realising they’ve outgrown a situation with clarity. That tension between tenderness and defiance runs throughout the EP, as Ravenistic understands that growth is messy, loud, and sometimes glorious.

'Memory Lane' slows the pulse just enough to let reflection seep in. There’s a wistfulness threaded through the melody, but it never collapses into self-pity. Instead, it celebrates the comfort and the cost of remembering. Synth flourishes shimmer against driving rhythms, giving the track a widescreen feel that nods to arena-sized hooks without losing intimacy.

'With Somebody Else' turns the temperature up again. The guitars crunch harder, the drums hit with intent, and the emotional stakes feel higher. It captures that restless moment when dissatisfaction begins to mutate into desire for something different. The arrangement mirrors that internal conflict, building from restrained verses into an explosive refrain.

Closing track 'The Perfect Thing' offers resolution without saccharine sweetness. It’s a reminder that connection, when it’s right, can steady the chaos.

What makes 'Cocktail Hour' compelling are the echoes of Blondie’s cool, Joan Jett’s grit, and the fearless pop instincts of Kim Wilde. This is a seasoned artist reclaiming her voice, and turning past chapters into fuel.