Hello, Cloud Local. First time listener, first time caller here. Just wanted to let you know this is one of the most impressive, confident and outright catchy pop-rock songs I've come across in quite some time. At first I was peeved that you made us wait for the chorus after that first verse, but that tease made the payoff all the better and I was singing along almost instantly. This is also the first time in awhile of doing Unearthed reviews where my immediate instinct was to press play again as soon as the song was finished. That doesn't happen all that often, so consider it high praise. Anyway, good luck out there. As you were.

The most apparent problem with "Empty" is that it sounds like it was recorded on GarageBand. In a garage. Rather than an aesthetic choice, it comes off as tinny and extremely rough around the edges. This feels like a demo you'd record to get a feel for a song rather than an official single. The vocals lack confidence, the guitar lacks urgency and there's even a few moments where the drums feel out of time. You're obviously a young band, and there's still plenty of time to iron out the kinks. As something you're earnestly trying to put forward, however, this falls considerably short.

Considering this coming off a considerable hiatus, it's commendable to have gotten back on the wagon with such relative ease. The vocals are of particular note here - the cadence, timing and melody really pop. It's the kind of tune you can get in your head pretty easily. There's even a certain lilt in the voice, almost reminiscent of someone like Dolores O'Riordan. Production-wise this is a little thin on the ground, and I would have perhaps taken a second run at the lyrics. Aside from that, there's a lot of potential here. I'm liking the chances of it being realised before too long.

On paper, bringing in someone as talented as Citizen Kay feels like an absolute no-brainer. You get that kind of rub and you can instantly see a star-making collab - a great equaliser, like Run DMC and Aerosmith. What you've done, however, is shown how much work you need to do. Kay completely overshadows the entire proceedings - you take him out of the picture and this is paint-by-numbers leather-jacket rock by Alex Turner disciples. The single most interesting thing about your entire song is by someone who's not in the band. That is damning, and will hopefully make you guys want to step up your game.

Jimi has been one of the most underrated producers and beatmakers in Australia for a very long time. I'm hoping that the Kuya James project will allow that to change, and this dude finally gets the attention he deserves. His work is meticulous, impeccably crafted and consistently engaging - it's all about immersing yourself in a place entirely different to your own and going with it. Serina's vocals are lush, the zither (is it a zither?) sample is hypnotic and that sub-bass work brings the exact sting in the tail that the song needs. Big love to my big brother on this new voyage - great things are ahead.

There is a lot to like here. Julia's vocals are perfectly matched to Duan and Rob's production work, and the dynamics at play lift this from the potential trappings that come with chill-out and downtempo music. A very easy, very pleasant listening experience.

This feels really underdeveloped. I understand that it's trying to soundtrack a hangover, but the dragging rhythm and lackadaisical delivery doesn't warrant any intrigue or investment. It feels more like a poor Horrorshow impression than something singular or identifying. There's ability present, it's just not being realised the way that it should be.

If your dad is into The Mark Of Cain or Blacklevel Embassy or anything else that's mean, muscly and working class, and he reckons "they don't make 'em like this anymore," send him Plovers' way. He might not trust them, being millennials and all, but this is burly noise-rock with much more brawn than you might have anticipated.

This is fine. It's entirely serviceable. It's adequate. It's very clear what you're going for, and it's done respectfully enough. The issue is that there are literally hundreds of bands across Australia doing the exact same thing. What do you plan on doing to make people care about Starve over all of them? What is going to make them want to go out of their way to see you? What is something you can offer other bands cannot? These are things you should genuinely be considering going ahead.