After spending the first half of 2024 immersed in their critically acclaimed live re-score of Wake in Fright - performed alongside a never-before-seen 4K screening of the Australian cult classic - the band found themselves in an entirely new creative space. Fresh from the intensity of that project, Surprise Chef made a decision to bring fun and freedom back to the writing process. With a focus on lightness and exploration, they embraced the chance to experiment with a more upbeat, groove-driven sound while staying true to their signature soul-jazz roots. The result is Superb - a bold step forward in their evolution, blending the cinematic soul of David Axelrod with the modern, infectious grooves of Timbaland and The Neptunes, all wrapped up in a distinctly Surprise Chef package. Each track was recorded live to tape in one take, capturing the raw, unfiltered energy of the project.
On the record, guitarist Lachlan Stuckey says: “Superb was a real shift in process for us, and definitely illustrated how we can change our perspective to influence the outcome of a record. We take what we do pretty seriously; we care a great deal about the music we make being purposeful and meaningful. That mentality has given birth to a bunch of records we’re really proud of, but also can leave little room for spontaneity and the kind of unbridled joy that can be stifled by the levels of scrutiny we put into our work. Making Superb showed us that when we’re more relaxed during the process, we get a whole different kind of record out of it.”