“Romantic Side” – Wattmore
- GRAHAM
- Jun 29
- 2 min read
Wattmore doesn’t ask for your attention — they seize it with a six-string in one hand and a middle finger in the other. Formed in Brisbane by autistic brothers Aiden and Kai Boak, the duo has built their sound from the bones of grit, sarcasm, and a total disregard for genre conventions. Think Oasis after a few whiskeys with Waylon Jennings — a little anthemic, a little outlaw, and completely their own. Their debut single “Circus Life” hinted at this wild alchemy, but with “Romantic Side,” Wattmore doesn’t just break the rules. They bulldoze them.
This track is a no-frills takedown of hookup culture dressed up in twangy guitars and spitfire lyrics. From the first line, “Swipe left on this mess,” you know you’re not in for a sugarcoated ballad. Instead, “Romantic Side” serves sharp barbs and bitter truths with a grin, as if Johnny Cash walked into a Tinder date and brought a distortion pedal. The songwriting, bolstered by Australian legend Allan Caswell, hits like a stiff drink — it burns a little, but you’ll want another round.
Musically, the track is a clever fusion of old-school country narrative and alt-rock punch. Kai’s vocals bite with just enough edge, while Aiden’s guitar work lays down riffs that feel both unpolished and intentional — the kind of sound that makes you believe it was born in a garage but destined for a festival stage. The production, led by Lindsay Waddington, keeps everything tight without sanding down the band’s rough charm. There’s a certain looseness here that’s refreshing — like they’re daring the song to fall apart, knowing full well it won’t.
What makes “Romantic Side” land isn’t just its humour or its hooks — it’s the unfiltered honesty. Wattmore isn’t trying to be clever for the sake of it. They’re frustrated, amused, maybe a little bruised, and they're turning all of it into a song that laughs in the face of pop-polished heartbreak. It's not a love song. It’s a breakup with the idea of modern romance, delivered through amps that sound like they’ve seen some things.
If “Circus Life” opened the door, “Romantic Side” kicks it off its hinges. Wattmore proves they’re not a novelty act or a flash in the pan — they’re songwriters with something to say and a devilish way of saying it. With only two tracks out, they’ve already carved a lane that’s entirely theirs: genre-fluid, brutally honest, and loud in all the right places. Keep an eye on these brothers. They’ve got more to burn, and they’re not interested in playing it safe.
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