Their U.S debut album, Stardust Galaxies features their lead single. "Life Design", an encouraging song about fighting back and succeeding even in the midst of certain failure and adversity. "Life Design" sets the tempo for the rest of the album. Lyrically, the Parlotones create complex, compelling narratives about their home-turf and the atrocities they've seen growing up, the social and political struggles they've witnessed and experienced, and the ravages of diseases like AIDS and malaria, that have sapped an entire region of both its health and dignity.

The Parlotones are a heavily seeded social activist band, speaking out against the silent killers of AIDS and malaria at grades school throughout the country. If you are looking for the same run-of the mill boring lyrical drivel that shows up from time to time, this is not your band.

Thematically, the Parlotones have a lot to say and their avenue of expression is rooted their music. The music they are making is for the thinking type and not for the weak of conscience. For instance, "Long Walk Home" was lyrically influenced by Nelson Mandela's autobiography, and "Brighter Side of Hell," focuses on the glaring gulf between the haves and have-nots of their hometown of Johannesburg. All this is wrapped up in a darkly romantic sound reminiscent of Muse, Radiohead and other alternative bands of that genre, streaked with traditional folk rhythms of their indigenous land.

The Parlotones have a decidedly accessible and mainstream sound with traces of their native heritage weaved in among the many layers. They are worth the listen.