Flashing OFF the Record

Friday, February 20, 2026

Friday Flash(back) - Chet Faker - A Love For Strangers

Nicholas James Murphy AKA Chet Faker, sixth solo studio album on Friday the 13th.

Some under Nick Murphy, some under Chet Faker. Talk about mixed messages to his fans.

In 2012, as Chet Faker, he issued an extended play, Thinking in Textures, and signed to Downtown Records in the United States.

In October 2012, he won Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Thinking in Textures won Best Independent Single/EP at the Australian Independent Records Awards.

In January 2013, Work won Best Independent Release at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards for 2012.

Murphy's cover of Blackstreet's No Diggity was featured in a 2013 Super Bowl commercial for Beck's Sapphire.

In April 2014, Built on Glass, his debut studio album, was released to generally positive reviews and debuted at number one on the Australian ARIA Charts.

Three tracks from the album were voted into the top ten of Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2014, including the number one spot for Talk Is Cheap.

In September 2016, Murphy dropped the Chet Faker name to start performing and releasing material under his birth name, beginning with the release of a pair of singles later that year, and the Missing Link extended play in 2017.

Murphy's second studio album, the first under his birth name, Run Fast Sleep Naked was released in April 2019.

This was followed up by a surprise instrumental album, Music for Silence, in March 2020, initially released via the Calm meditation app.

In October 2020, four years after dropping the moniker, Murphy revived the Chet Faker name for the release of a new single, Low.

A Love For Strangers came after a bit of a break for Chet. Following working with Flume and the high of highs of Talk is Cheap, it's so good seeing Chet Faker back releasing music.

The Friday Flash(back) will be back next Friday with most likely another local artist. Have a great weekend. Summer is almost officially over!

Friday, February 13, 2026

Friday (the 13th) Flash(back) - Karnivool - In Verses

Karnivool could have delivered the longest Friday Flash(back) album for a while. In Verses clocks in at just over one hour.

The progressive rock band formed in Perth in 1998. Since 2004, the group has consisted of Ian Kenny (Birds of Tokyo fame) on vocals, Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking on guitar, Jon Stockman on bass, and Steve Judd on drums.

The band have now released four studio albums: Themata (2005), Sound Awake (2009), Asymmetry (2013) and In Verses, released last Friday.

It is their first release in thirteen years. Karnivool have delivered hits like Themata, Set Fire to the Hive & All I Know over the years. When Kenny wasn't busy with his Birds of Tokyo work, he was on tour and recording with Karnivool.

A lot can happen in that time. As fans have noted since the album In Verses was announced last year, listeners have gotten married, had kids, divorced, and remarried.

For the younger ones, fans have finished high school, gone to university, and work full-time, mind-numbing jobs. And through it all, three albums by a band from Perth have soundtracked every moment.

Fittingly titled In Verses, the follow-up to Asymmetry, released in July 2013. With a reference to the Roman numeral for the number four in the title and ten tracks that follow their gorgeous yet complex journey.

Vocalist Ian Kenny, guitarists Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking, bassist Jon Stockman, and drummer Steve Judd continue evolving on In Verses. Drawing on their previous albums – 2005’s Themata, 2009’s Sound Awake, and Asymmetry – the group channels frustration and catharsis in a poignant reflection on their personal journey to rediscover their musical identity.

Completely changing gears from Boy & Bear last week, and Friday Flash(back) season one opener Lily Allen. Karnivool deliver when it comes to rock.

There are a number of weeks prior to Easter when season one concludes. Next week I'm sure we will completely shift gears again.

Have a great weekend!