Melbourne indie outfit The Great Emu War Casualties continue the build-up to their debut album Public Sweetheart No.1 with the release of their latest single, Wanna See You.
The Great Emu War Casualties
Set for release on 27th March, Public Sweetheart No.1 marks a major step forward for the band, whose melancholic art-rock has steadily gathered momentum both in Australia and internationally. Their sound – emotionally charged yet melodically infectious – has drawn comparisons to the angular pop sensibilities of Bloc Party and Two Door Cinema Club, while nodding to the rhythmic adventurousness of Talking Heads and the art-pop precision of Everything Everything.
Wanna See You showcases a different shade of the band’s emotional palette. Where much of their material balances beauty with a lingering sense of doubt, this latest cut leans into longing in its purest form — the simple ache of wanting to be close to someone who isn’t there. Swelling, melodic guitars intertwine with the interplay between Joe Jackson’s wistful lead vocal and soft female harmonies, creating a warm yet slightly unsettled indie-rock glow.
Jackson explains: “Wanna See You is proof that I can write a happier song and just choose not to 95% of the time. It’s actually not that happy, is it? It’s a simple song about the fact that I wanna see you every time you call and sometimes that’s all you need.”
Written by Jackson alongside bassist and vocalist Saskia Clapton, the track was co-produced by the pair with ARIA Award-winning producer Wayne Connolly, known for his work with artists including The Teskey Brothers and Julia Jacklin.
The forthcoming album has already been previewed by recent single Donut and tracks from last year’s Permanent Resident EP. Together, they point towards a debut that embraces emotional contradiction: heartfelt yet sharp-edged, introspective but built for festival stages.
The Great Emu War Casualties
Jackson’s own journey adds another layer to the band’s story. Growing up in Liverpool, he first cut his teeth in a Tenacious D tribute band before veering into screamo territory. A move to the Netherlands and eventually Melbourne saw him form The Great Emu War Casualties with Clapton, later joined by Nepalese drummer Bibek Tamang and synth player Cat Sanzaro.
Named after one of Australia’s most infamous military misadventures, the band wear their underdog spirit proudly — and with Public Sweetheart No.1, they look poised to turn cult promise into something far bigger.
Share Thing