Multi-award-winning First Nations collective 3% have dropped their first country-inspired single, “Betterman”.
Out today via Believe, “Betterman” takes on an acoustic-led direction with a distinct country twang, diverging from the eclectic electronic, hip hop, and pop sounds of prior singles.
Vulnerable with each verse yet fused with an air of hopefulness, the song encapsulates the fragility of a mind wrapped up in demons and the wave of inner conflicts and lost loves that they can fuel. As Dallas and Nooky’s flows delve into the hollows of these plagues to the mind, the soaring pop-induced vocals of Angus Fields come to a crescendo chorus, enraptured in the relentless pursuit of being a ‘better man’.
“We were raised on country music and ‘Betterman’ is the first taste of 3% dipping into that sound and it’s definitely not the last. ‘Betterman’ is a song about trying to be better – whether it’s in a relationship, your workplace or just in general. Everybody goes through hard times. Mental health and how we deal with these issues is often a silent battle, there’s a heavy weight and sometimes it can implode,” Nooky explains.
“This song is about us being honest with ourselves, acknowledging the imperfections and striving to better ourselves, not just for us but for those around us. Although there may be a lil weight behind the lyrics it’s a fun song, it’s honest and has a certain energy of hopefulness and it’s also a sneak peak at the country bangers we got in the vault.”
“Betterman” is the fourth single to arrive in an impressive run from the group this year. Each standing apart in sound yet remaining cohesive, the collection also includes the warm nostalgia of “These Days”, the high-octane, blisteringly vulnerable “Running Through My Head” ft. Sarah Wolfe and the ever-inspiring “Our Greats”.
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Between them, the songs continued to solidify 3%’s signature sound at the sweet spot of sonically diverse yet unwaveringly raw releases.
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To tease the single, at last week’s ARIA Awards, Nooky showed up to the red carpet on a horse, telling NITV: “I wanted to do something different, 3%’s heading, you know, we’re going country so I thought why not rock up on a horse.”
3% took home the Best Use of an Australian Recording in an Advertisement award last week for “Our Greats”, in collaboration with Fox League, which was used during the NRL’s Indigenous Round. The song landed at No. 23 on the Shazam charts and received nominations in two categories for the inaugural NSW Music Prize.
3%’s “Betterman” is out now.
