With the release of their new album Superb, Melbourne-based band Surprise Chef isn’t just making a musical statement—they’re redefining what soul-jazz can look and feel like in 2025.
Known for their cinematic sound and jazz-informed instrumentation, the band took a bold creative turn after an immersive 2024 project: a live re-score of Wake in Fright performed alongside a rare 4K screening of the cult classic. Out of that intense process came a desire for freedom—and Superb is the result.
“We take what we do pretty seriously,” says guitarist Lachlan Stuckey. “But making Superb showed us that when we’re more relaxed during the process, we get a whole different kind of record out of it.”
This fresh approach birthed a record brimming with warm textures, experimental arrangements, and irresistibly groovy rhythms. From the smooth opener “Bully Ball” to the funky “Tag Dag” and the genre-bending “Fare Evader,” Surprise Chef proves they’re not afraid to push boundaries while keeping listeners moving.
The album mixes cinematic soul in the spirit of David Axelrod with head-bobbing elements of early 2000s hip-hop, all wrapped in the band’s tight, analog-influenced recording style. Every track was laid down live in a single take—an intentional move that preserves the organic energy of their sessions.
The global appetite for Surprise Chef’s sound has only grown, with tour stops in New Delhi, London, Jakarta, Bangkok, and more. Along the way, they’ve caught the ears of legends like Questlove and DJ Nu-Mark and even landed samples on tracks featuring Rich Brian and Ghostface Killah.
With Superb, Surprise Chef continues to climb, carving a unique space in the global music scene—one hypnotic groove at a time.
Surprise Chef UK Tour Dates
Sep 9th 2025 - Earth, London
Sep 10th 2025 - YES @ Pink Room, Manchester
Sep 11th 2025 - Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
Sep 12th 2025 - Bristol Beacon (Lantern Room), Bristol
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