It is easy to put certain feelings aside and hope they will disappear with time. On “routine avoidance”, Perth band navy june sit with those feelings instead, turning heartbreak, uncertainty and the struggle to let go into a song that feels personal from the very first moments. Following the release of “mister” in January, navy june have had a busy run of shows, appearing at Bloom Fest, Blues at Bridgetown and Spaced Out Fest, as well as sharing stages with Old Mervs, Great Gable, The Vanns, Fool Nelson, Cheeky Leash, Death By Denim, Sophian, Ruby Hoo, Nana’s Pie, Devon Street and Darcie Haven. The band has also picked up a WAM Song of the Year nomination along the way.
“routine avoidance” opens with a soft, acoustic-led folk sound that feels almost like a quiet bedroom recording. There is a real sense of closeness in these early moments, before the song gradually opens up. Fuzzed-out guitars, bigger drums and aching vocals bring more weight into the arrangement, while the harmonies add to the feeling without taking away from its intimacy. The emotional pull comes from the uncertainty at the song’s center. This is not a neat story about heartbreak where everything suddenly makes sense. It is about wanting someone’s validation while knowing you need to move on, and about getting caught between grief, anger and obsession while trying to regain control.
Ruby Barton-Taylor describes “routine avoidance” as a story about heartbreak, resilience and taking back control. That comes through clearly in the way the song moves from its softer opening into something much bigger and more intense. I really enjoyed the contrast between the gentle beginning and the heavier sections. For me, the song feels most powerful when navy june let the emotion build naturally rather than forcing it.
“routine avoidance” arrives Friday, August 21, and it is well worth adding to your playlist. Make sure to follow navy june and keep the track close, especially if you enjoy songs that give complicated feelings plenty of room to breathe. The band will launch the single at Lunar Fest in Fremantle on Friday, September 4, before playing an intimate acoustic performance at Sullivan Hall on Sunday, September 6. With its mix of warm folk, fuzzy guitars, strong drums and heartfelt vocals, “routine avoidance” gives navy june another memorable release and leaves plenty of reason to keep following where the band goes next.
