In these six songs, Chasing Ghosts—the punk-rock brainchild of Jimmy Kyle, a descendant of the Thungutti mob in northern New South Wales—share powerful stories inspired by Kyle’s life as an Aboriginal man in modern Australia, as well as by his broader community. The Homelands EP begins with “Busted Lung,” all chugging guitars and a soaring chorus. He sings: “I’m not lost, but I don’t know what to do/I’m not dead but I’m barely living/And some things just can’t be forgiven… I never asked for this decision to send two men to prison.” The track was inspired by the true story of a violent hate crime committed against his friend, a young gay man in inner Melbourne, who later advocated for his attackers to receive a second chance—rather than the 15-year prison sentences they faced. “Kids Raise Kids” begins as a soft, solemn piano ballad before breaking out into catchy, chugging rock. It stands out for its specificity (“You can pick Ruby up round about 4, but make sure she’s got a cardigan/The red one, I don’t want her cold and ignored on her first day of kindergarten”)—Kyle here uses a personal story to tell a universal one, about young, separated parents facing the challenges of raising a child together.
Throughout, Homelands shines a stark light on First Nations history and discrimination in Australia. On the surface, “Summer” may sound like punchy pop-punk, but it’s a moving look back at a horrific 1865 massacre in Towel Creek—one of many that took place in the region—told from the perspective of Kyle’s family Elder Jack Scott. And final track “Dig” is an honest, open plea for listeners to “dig deeper” and educate themselves about the oppressive mistreatment of First Nations people throughout the entire history of white Australia. Beginning with an acoustic guitar and building up, layer by layer, each verse feels more impassioned and emotional, with references to colonial invasion, the Stolen Generation, Indigenous deaths in custody, and many more harrowing events. It’s a powerful conclusion to a thought-provoking punk-inspired release.