Thematically, ‘Surface World’, as explained by the band, is a “reflection of the plane of existence we’re all currently trapped upon”, taking an introspective look at modern life and the world around them. “We’ve Been ‘Happening’ on our debut, we’ve been ‘Rising’ on LP two, on our last album we were ‘On Top’, and now we’re sitting at the juncture of the ‘Surface World’. Be it swift manufacture (Fast Product), staring through the window at an outside world (City Ranger, Peakin, Smoke), looking back inside (Walkin’ Thru My Mind, Keep On Cryin, It’s Clear, Summer Skies), suburban fantasy (Car Thief, Don’t Shoot Me), or the Surface World staring back at you (Shop Window). And what’s it sound like? A reverb-laden, fuzzed, pulsating experiment sandwiching popular AND unpopular tunes from the likes of 60s garage and psychedelia, 70s punk and power pop, and 50s-2020s mutant music. It wouldn’t be a Straight Arrows record without throwing a whole pile of eclectic old (and newish) influences into the fuel tank to see what combusts on the other end.”
Mixed by frontman Owen Penglis (who has worked with Royal Headache, Frowning Clouds, Mini Skirt and Palms over the years), the album was recorded over just two days, live to tape. The quick turn-around led to some intense rehearsals ahead of time, resulting in some incredibly tight performances on the record.
“In true budget Straight Arrows fashion, we spent months rehearsing to be able to spend as little time and money in the expensive tracking studio as possible. With trusted engineer Nick Franklin behind the desk, and Owen [Penglis] trying not to micro-manage him, we managed to smash out the whole album, live to tape in two days.
This is also the first Straight Arrows release with some straight up co-writes between Owen and Al - I guess those last few years of apocalyptic world out-view were good for something! Then comes the part after recording where Owen overdubs and warps and changes the whole thing over the next year in his own studio, in between whatever else he’s working on (from punk EPs, 60s reissues, and the Wiggles [!]), messes with the words, and comes out the other end with a shiny-ish, medium fidelity Straight Arrows hot CLASSIC.”