Live Review: PREMIERE: TEES take us through their new EP, 'Flow', share new visuals for "Pull"

Wollongong duo TEES is comprised of best friends and musical soulmates, Lizzy Tillman and Sean Duarte. They make music that borrows from Balearic beats and 90s-era acid raves while maintaining a nostalgic twist, and while this week marks the release of their debut EP, they've actually been at this for quite a while.

Having been creating what is now called Flow, TEES' have been crafting these songs for over three years. Despite the long time, they've managed to put it together with an exceptional cohesion that sees all the songs maintaining central themes: relationships, love, loss, hope and power, both in being with others and with oneself, all tied together brilliantly with pumping beats to make you dance.

We've been a fan of TEES for some time now, so we're honoured today to bring you an advance stream of their EP, Flow, as well as brand new visuals for their latest single, 'Pull'. The pair have written a track-by-track breakdown of their EP, which further delves into the introspection and personal sides of each song. Speaking of their first body of work, the duo said, "This EP encapsulates exploring and experimenting, trying not to be suffocated into a space of expectation and rigidity. Each of the songs explore the concept of striving to become self-determined and seek independence however there are differences in how each song aims to get to that point."

Going onto explain the careful and precise positioning of each song and what it represents, TEES said, "The beginning songs speak to needing to cut loose from others to have a sense of this, to strip things back to find the self within. By the time 'Through You' begins it reflects an ending and a contemplation ~ a remembrance of what was told just moments before. That knowing yourself alone is not all there is. Knowing this, accepting and then celebrating this is what makes you aware that you can love and truly be with those around you."

Ultimately, with Flow, TEES are moving forward. They've always had an innate innovation when it comes to their music, and this EP represents that for all to see. It's been exciting watching them develop and grow to the point where they are completely unafraid to be themselves and to speak their own truths, and that's exactly what Flow is. It's not often a duo can offer up such a wholly developed and fully-fledged sound, but TEES have done that here. With this defined identity, it's going to be thrilling to see what they do next. Get your best headphones at the ready and escape into their world below (and peep the first look at the video for 'Pull' too!).

Let Beauty Be

Let Beauty Be is about knowing when something has reached its end and seeing out that’s its legacy is respected and appreciated. This song is about celebrating the ephemeral and the sparing moments of beauty we share and experience. 

BOY

Boy is about breaking up with someone and being fulfilled by making that change. It is about redefining ones self and looking to a new path for the future.

PULL

PULL explores themes more personal to some of Lizzy’s experiences learning about domestic violence and toxic relationships during her honours study. This song is a homage to the victims of those relationships. It is an attempt to strengthen those who seek to be freed from others who make them feel less than what they are.

On and On

This track explores pining for someone you know you shouldn’t be with and all the attempts you make to resist them. It is about losing power to attraction and the fleeting experiences that we can lose control of. On top of this, it about realising what feeds this desire and how some experiences are inevitable.

Through You

After considering all the complexities of love and loss and the fear that drives and hinders those experiences, Through You is about friendships and close relations that inspire us.

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence please call 1800RESPECT.

Catch TEES on tour!

Flow is out Thursday, 25th January via Farmer & The Owl.

Image: Supplied

Words by Emma Jones

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

TEES RELEASE STUNNING NEW VIDEO FOR 'BOY'

TEES TAKE US THROUGH THEIR FAVOURITE SPOTS ON THE LEISURE COAST

GO AROUND THE WORLD WITH THIS EXOTIC MIX FROM TEES