BLANCO TRANCO – THE IMAGINED LIFE
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE ALBUM PREMIERE
Spill Magazine are thrilled today to be premiering The Imagined Life, the long-awaited debut album from Melbourne’s Blanco Tranco, ahead of its official release on September 16th via Honeyglider Records. After a steady stream of acclaimed releases over the past five years, the four-piece finally delivers a full-length that more than justifies the anticipation, a rich, genre-blending record full of vulnerability, texture, and unflinching emotional weight.
The album threads together elements of surf rock, shoegaze, and dream pop, layering jangly guitars and atmospheric textures over taut, expressive drumming. It’s a lush and immersive listen, yet there’s a raw edge humming just beneath the surface.
There’s no mistaking the sonic lineage; hints of The Smiths’ bittersweet romanticism, Cocteau Twins’ ethereal haze, and Echo & the Bunnymen’s moody grandeur ripple throughout. But Blanco Tranco don’t merely pay homage; they reshape these influences into something distinctly their own. Glimmers of Aphex Twin’s experimentation, the emotionally charged delivery of The National and RVG, and even flashes of Olivia Rodrigo’s sharp pop instincts surface in unexpected and compelling ways.
Lyrically, frontperson Tiff Brown covers a range of themes from disillusionment and identity crises to toxic love and unrealised dreams. The album’s title itself nods to the central thread: the “imagined life” we build up in our minds, and the often-painful reckoning with the reality that follows.
“We’re incredibly excited to finally release this collection of songs,” shares guitarist Matt McTiernan. “It’s been a long journey, over three years in the making, and represents a huge amount of personal and emotional commitment from all of us. It’s a chance to share a very personal part of our lives.”
Stream The Imagined Life in full below. You can pre-order the vinyl through the band’s Bandcamp page now.
Blanco Tranco
The Imagined Life
(Honeyglider Records)
Release Date: September 16, 2025
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