A breezy sonic exploration of love, heartbreak, and reconciliation...
30 · 10 · 2025
If you're yearning for the sounds of 2000s indie, Salarymen provide the perfect remedy. The Sydney duo has released their debut album, 'Take It Or Leave It'. Formed by Renee de la Motte and Thomas Eagleton, Salarymen delve into the complexities and upheaval of a long-term relationship across its different phases.
They kick off their debut with ‘Just Because You Can’, a vibrant indie-rock anthem infused with psych synths. The duo weaves their influences together seamlessly; while ‘Take It Or Leave It’ serves as a contemporary reinterpretation of 2000s indie, it also features subtle genre-blending elements. A standout track is ‘If You Want Me’, which merges psych-pop with the classic structure of a 1950s love ballad. Eagleton’s rough-edged vocals contrast nicely with de la Motte’s polished sound, creating a successful combination, aided by a swaying guitar line and airy chorus.
‘Take It Or Leave It’ offers easy listening, highlighted by tracks such as ‘Holding On’ and ‘Let Me Go’. De la Motte’s voice shines in the chorus of ‘Holding On’, backed by well-balanced synth and guitar work. “I know you’re holding on, I’m not the one,” she reflects, as the duo grapples with the pain of disappointing someone. However, it’s from ‘Surrender’ that Salarymen’s debut truly starts to shine. The latter half of the album exudes increased confidence, transitioning from the edgier tone of ‘Surrender’ to the 2000s indie-rock stylings of ‘Like You’ and the gentle strings in ‘We Could Be Together’. This final track marks another powerful moment in ‘Take It Or Leave It’, showcasing classic alt-pop while hinting at the band’s vintage charm. “Heartbreak’s not forever, it’s true,” de la Motte contemplates, touching on a central theme of the album: nostalgia for former relationships and the music that accompanied them.
At times, ‘Take It Or Leave It’ is as straightforward as it is captivating. ‘Truth’ trudges along, propelled by staccato piano chords. Eagleton leads the song with his voice, which shines brightest when harmonizing with de la Motte. The nostalgic alt-rock of the 2000s permeates each track on ‘Take It Or Leave It’, rendering even the slightly weaker moments reminiscent of an indie film soundtrack.
Although ‘Too Many Times’ presents a rather abrupt ending, the ethereal quality of the album's closing track seems fitting. Much of the album addresses what remains unsaid, from harsh realities to unavoidable emotions. Ending on such a nonchalant note adds an almost cinematic layer to the overall narrative of the record. “So I’ll burn the candle at both ends, never working on myself,” sings de la Motte in ‘Holding On’, encapsulating the band's essence and a theme of their debut. Like Japan’s salarymen, they're dedicated to their craft, though in de la Motte and Eagleton’s case, this dedication manifests as a sonic odyssey through love, heartbreak, and reconciliation.
7/10
Words: Charlotte Grimwade
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If you’re yearning for the indie sounds of the 2000s, Salarymen are the perfect choice. The Sydney-based duo has released their first album, 'Take It Or Leave It'.