The Audreys - an Oz five-piece with immense songwriting talent - are no exception.

The combination of an ARIA win and a relentless tour schedule heaped pressure on the self-described little band from Adelaide.

The blues, roots and folk outfit struggled with writer's block, taking 18 months to pen a follow-up song to 2006's Between Last Night And Us.

But when the drought broke - after a sojourn to the legendary Chelsea Hotel in New York - out came a collection of deep, melancholic tunes to rival any on their debut.

With a well-crafted mix of guitars, banjo, violin, mandolin, upright bass and percussion, The Audreys have a musical base for singer Taasha Coates to rise above.

Dealing in themes of the apocalypse, death, drinking, sex and love, it is a dark and emotional lyrical excursion.

And with Coates' breathy and plaintive vocals bordering on ethereal, it is a seductive mix.

Lead single Paradise City is a spurned lover's parting shot - ``Well you've left me here in paradise city, where the air is foul and it's used and gritty.''

While Here He Lies - the emotional high point of the record - is a funeral march in honour of a departed friend, driven along by banjo and high strung guitars. With meticulous production by gun guitarist Shane O'Mara (Rebecca's Empire, Icecream Hands) it is a beguiling smoky pop record.

To coincide with the album release, the band is playing at The Loft in Warrnambool next Wednesday night.

The Audreys will be supported by J Walker, of Machine Translations fame.