After more than two decades of steady songwriting and stage time, Sydney’s Josh Orange are still refusing to play it safe. Their latest release ‘Believers & Dreamers (What Have We Become)’ is a striking, full-throttle anthem that trades platitudes for protest, pulling no punches in its examination of modern-day greed, power, and societal decay.
From its first few bars, the track seethes. There’s a simmering tension beneath the verses, eventually giving way to a massive, arms-aloft crescendo; part rallying cry, part desperate plea. Drawing from a well of righteous anger, songwriter Gordon Burke wrestles with disillusionment in the face of injustice, corruption, and economic imbalance.
What separates ‘Believers & Dreamers’ from typical protest rock is the dynamic interplay between rage and grace. A delicate harp, performed by Kaela Harp of the Sydney Orchestra, winds its way through the otherwise gritty arrangement, bringing an unexpected softness to the track’s message. There’s even a moment of spontaneous brilliance: a late-arriving saxophone hook (courtesy of the drummer’s daughter) adds another layer of warmth and spontaneity, grounding the song’s intensity in something deeply human.
The track also benefits from the touch of heavyweight producer and mixer Tim Palmer, best known for his work on ‘Ten’ by Pearl Jam. His influence is unmistakable; the sound is massive yet nuanced, raw yet refined. You can feel the decades of experience that Josh Orange have accumulated in the way the song manages to balance confrontation with composure.
While their sound draws comparisons to names like Dire Straits or Stereophonics, Josh Orange have carved a lane that’s unmistakably their own, one that nods to both their Australian roots and Irish heritage. There’s grit in their playing, wisdom in their words, and a fabulous boldness.
With a single launch show set for the 28th August at Sydney’s Lazybones Lounge, ‘Believers & Dreamers’ is a live moment waiting to happen. And judging by the power of this track, it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Josh Orange may be veterans, but they’re not interested in nostalgia. ‘Believers & Dreamers (What Have We Become)’ proves they’re still pushing boundaries, still asking hard questions, and still delivering music that matters.
