“Do You Remember Anything?” by Fendahlene feat. Portobello Express: Review

Music Review

27 Feb

Written By Tom T

Fendahlene are back, and this time, they’re making some serious noise—both sonically and lyrically. Their new single, "Do You Remember Anything?", isn’t just another indie rock track; it’s a full-blown call to arms, drenched in groove-heavy riffs, punchy basslines, and an undercurrent of simmering frustration. It’s got swagger, it’s got grit, and it’s got something to say.

Recorded at Urchin Studios, London, with Dan Cox (who’s worked with Laura Marling, Florence and the Machine, and Thurstan Moore), and mastered by Fabian Tormin at Plaetin Mastering in Hamburg, this track marks a shift for Fendahlene. It leans into the edgier side of new wave and post-punk, blending indie-rock cool with an undeniable sense of urgency. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Portobello Express’s Betty swoops in with haunting, Lynchian backing vocals, and Pat delivers a searing guitar section that launches the track into overdrive.

Lyrically, this one’s a thinker. On the surface, it’s a hard-hitting critique of populist deception, ideological blindness, and the chaos of modern-day discourse. But dig a little deeper, and it could just as easily be about a toxic relationship, where manipulation and gaslighting blur the lines between reality and illusion. Whether you hear it as a political reckoning or a deeply personal confrontation, the song resonates—because, let’s face it, we’re all trying to hold our ground in a world full of noise.

Musically, "Do You Remember Anything?" is packed with layered influences. There are shades of Bowie, Arcade Fire’s Reflektor-era pulse, the angular funk of Talking Heads, and the jagged energy of Gang of Four—all seamlessly woven into a track that never stops moving. It’s raw and stripped back where it needs to be, but explodes into multi-layered synths and soaring guitar work when the moment calls for it.

And let’s not forget their partners in crime on this one—Portobello Express, the Vienna-based psychedelic blues rockers who know a thing or two about channeling the spirit of the late 60s and early 70s. Their raw energy and love for bending conventions make them the perfect match for Fendahlene’s evolving sound.

For Fendahlene, this is another evolution. After years of tearing up the Sydney live scene, relocating to the UK, and dropping their well-received High and Low and Back Again album in 2020 (right in the heart of lockdown), they’ve been steadily building momentum. With their When the Hit Began EP (2021) and now this fresh batch of tracks recorded post-lockdown, they’re proving they’ve got plenty more to say—and they’re saying it louder than ever.

So turn it up, listen close, and maybe, just maybe, start remembering a few things.

“Do You Remember Anything?” is available now on all major streaming platforms