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Playlist: The Best Songs Of The Week

Here are some brand new tunes for your earholes. Featuring Aussies only out of pure coincidence, this week is a perfect example of just how strong our musical exports are right now. Take a listen below!

Tré Samuels, Flying Without You

In between jetsetting across the world to feature in fashion shows for some of the biggest names in the business, and possessing one of the best voices to come out of Australia in recent times, it’s safe to say Tré Samuels is a pretty busy 17 year old. Flying Without You is a smoky RnB song where Samuels asserts his independence, recognising fakers and haters and saying he’ll be just fine without them. Taken from his debut record which is out May 27, he’s teamed up with a who’s who cast of Melbourne’s musical elite for his album including Sensible J (House of Beige/Remi), Anthony Liddell (Opiuo/Kimbra), Silentjay (Rhythm Section/Hiatus Kaiyote) and Rachel James (Creamy Spies). Looks like we’ve got ourselves another star in the making!

Canary, Fickle Heart

Melbourne quintet Canary return in style with this latest single, the first cut from their incoming sophomore record, I Am Lion. Dynamic, chaotic, but expertly laid down, Canary really show what they’re made of in Fickle Heart. Self-aware, introspective and reflective, Canary contemplate themselves here and how their brains and hearts work. Looking inwards, as a form of catharsis, they pair their reflections with raucous rock and quiet, gentle pauses, flicking between the two with ease that always sounds good. Described as culminating in “roiling chaos; something recognisable to anyone who’s felt righteous in their bitter self-destruction following a breakup,” Fickle Heart gives us a pretty fantastic preview of what else is to come with I Am Lion, and we can’t wait to hear more.

Native Spirit, Look Around

Starting off with a heartbeat-like thump and some static rain, Melbourne electro pop trio Native Spirit hit the ground running with their latest tune, Look Around. Borrowing elements from frontrunners like Miami Horror, RUFUS, Cut Copy and more, Native Spirit sound like they’ve teleported from 2008 to 2016 with their electro pop sounds, but they’ve picked up a few modern touches on the way. It’s a total earworm, and certainly a go to to warm up any dancefloor as we head into winter. Begging for some remix treatment, Look Around is an impressive release from a rapidly rising trio.

Marcus Whale, Vapour

When releasing his latest single, Marcus Whale also provided a little prelude as to what Vapour is about: “Imagine two convicts, who’ve travelled for a year across the ocean to this place, Australia. Vapour illustrates them magically coming together as bodies of water and disappearing, transcendentally escaping the oppression of the state. There’s also a bit of a clue in there, that they are vapours – a former sea, a kind of union from the past to the present of all queer bodies – that we’re all made of water.” Right. On that note, Vapour is yet another super solid dance track with an experimental edge from one of Australia’s most prolific electronic musicians, and also comes with the announcement that his debut album, titled Inland Sea, will be out for your listening pleasure come June 10. Given his already impressive slew of solo singles, Inland Sea is already shaping up to be a formidable release.

Mallrat, Inside Voices (Prod. Casper Zazz + Tigerilla)

Mallrat is set for big things this year, mark my words. Teaming up once again with best pal/producer Tigerilla as well as Melbourne producers Casper Zazz, the Brisbane emcee has shared another chill af tune this week with Inside Voices. Alongside announcing that her debut EP, Uninvited, is also on the way (out July 1 via Create/Control), Inside Voices is actually my favourite of Mallrat’s work so far. Bouncy beats, sing-songy vocals and a certain self-awareness that hasn’t really been seen before, is this Mallrat growing up? It’s been great to watch her go up until now, but I can’t help but feel that this is a turning point for her to go from ~internet star~ to fully fledged artist. Time will tell!

BANFF x Caitlin Park, My Love, My Lover

Brisbane singer-songwriter BANFF (aka Benjamin Forbes) and Sydney subtronica artist Caitlin Park have teamed up to release their debut collaborative single, My Love, My Lover. Sounding like the likes of The War On Drugs, the driving drums and easy-going guitar strums making for a beautiful tune only amplified by both artists’ incredible songwriting abilities. The duet is a quaint, relaxed song that still encompasses some of the excitement that is met when you are falling for someone. It’s gentle but captivating, and it’s power is in its delicacy. Here’s hoping we hear more from these two together!

Swick, Ticketz (Ft. Spank Rock)

Melbourne producer Swick released his latest EP, Stamina, just today, and it’s already landed itself on high rotation in my listening schedule. The five tracks are huge, showing once again that Swick isn’t messing around. Personal favourite, Ticketz, features none other than Spank Rock on vocals for added steez, and the big room bass and tinkering percussion provide a writhing bed which Spank Rock makes his own. Released via his good friend Nina Las Vegas’ label, NLV Records, Swick has a one way ticket to the top and this EP is just another example of just how good he really is.

Cub Sport, Come On Mess Me Up

Brisbane darlings Cub Sport shared another shining cut from their latest album, This Is Our Vice this week, as well as announcing their first headline tour in THREE YEARS! Come On Mess Me Up was one of the standout tracks on their latest record (read our review here), so it’s awesome to see it released as a single. Paired with a simple, yet beautiful, video of lead singer Tim Nelson singing in black and white with some fantastic visual effects, its simplicity amplifies the shimmering vulnerability and intimacy to take it up more than a few levels. You can see the clip here, and check out their tour dates here. Welcome back Cub Sport – we missed you!

Bree Tranter, Tuesday Fresh Cuts

You may recognise her voice from the glory days of The Middle East or even her work in Matt Corby’s band, but it’s time to make way for Bree Tranter as a solo artist – and a formidable one at that. Singing over splashy cymbals, smooth sax and delicate drums, Tranter’s heavenly voice soars as she sings about her honey having the blues in this latest single, Tuesday Fresh Cuts. Coming alongside the news that her debut album is finally on it’s way and will be out in the world June 24, something tells me we haven’t even seen half of what Tranter can do yet, and this album (titled Another Night On Earth) is going to show us! Watch the video here.