Established in 2022, Austudy Records is an Australian archival record label based in Naarm (Melbourne). Over the last two years, they've released a small but perfectly formed catalogue of records, including "Burning It Up (Australian Reggae 1979​-​1986)", Andrew Gurruwiwi Band's Yolngu-funk debut 'Gatjumak', and now Toyland.

Toyland, the textbook definition of super-rare and highly sought-after, originally self-released their self-titled E.P. in 1983. Over four agitated post-punk/new-wave tracks with a liberal sprinkling of dub and afro-pop experimentation, the art-scene-slanted Adelaide quartet, to paraphrase Austudy's sales notes, "reflect the mongrel sensibilities of an Australian sound in an ever-growing global mirror."

Kicking off with the galloping satire of "Glad To Be Australian", Toyland strides through coastal dub punk on 'Ships And Boats', and takes an avant-funk 'Nite Flight Over Palestine', before winding down with the dubby desert dream-pop of 'Death By Numbers'. For this reissue, however, the remastered music is also accompanied by archival photographs and extensive liner notes penned by band member Nicholas Hope, locating Toyland in the expansive, early 1980s landscape they emerged within.

Despite receiving plenty of spin on Adelaide community radio station 5MMM and an enthusiastic reception from the local scene, sales never covered recording costs. By 1985, the group had disbanded, leaving behind music and quickly fading memories. Close to forty years later, Austudy's Toyland reissue represents yet another welcome window into the creativity, theatrics, and hijinks that were going down throughout Australia's D.I.Y., lo-fi, post-punk, and art-pop scenes during the decade of excess. If that's your bag, it's essential stuff.

Toyland is available for purchase in vinyl and digital formats through Austudy Records (here)