It’s Friday. It feels like ten thousand songs have been released this week, and you know what? A whole lot of them are pretty damn good. We posted up a some of our favourite new Australian music just a few days ago, but we’ve got a bunch more for you right here, right now. Enjoy!
Fortunes, 501 (Remix ft. Dai Burger)
Electronic duo Fortunes caught our attention last year, when they were announced as the first new signing to Future Classic in well over a year. Their big Future Classic debut was the slinky, seductive killer 501. Now, they’ve released a new version of the track – its second official remix – chopped, beat-ier, and packing a fresh verse from Queens rapper Dai Burger – who was just in town last week. Dai’s flow is light, natural and packed with a sensual confidence that couldn’t fit the track’s vibe better. This was already a great track, and it’s now been made even better. One of the best we’ve heard all year.
Gang of Youths, What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?
Following a roaring performance at Laneway Festival, the mighty Gang of Youths have now returned with a brand new single, and the exciting news that their sophomore album Go Farther In Lightness will be out later this year. The track is frenetic and wild – with huge, epic guitar chord smashes that remind me of some of my favourite Pixies moments, all drawn back into line when juxtaposed against sparser vocal-driven verses. Having absolutely found their feet as a band and live act throughout last year, they’re really starting to expand and nourish the elements that make them stand out. Not many bands can feel so wild and sentimental all at once, again cementing Gang of Youths as one of the best rock bands we’ve got right now.
All Our Exes Live in Texas, Boundary Road
The four girls that make up All Our Exes are among the greatest talents in Sydney right now. With their debut album When We Fall just a few weeks away, they have now debuted a new track, Boundary Road. I’m not usually one for softer folksier tunes, but there’s something about this band that keeps me engaged and enraptured. The track has a slightly ominous, telling sentimentality to it, musically aligned with its lyrical themes of dealing with others’ emotions while keeping your own in check – most of the time. “What if I wanna be the one to fall apart once in a while?” it asks.
Moonbase, It Don’t Matter ft. Anderson Paak
It’s always exciting when a local artist gets a big name feature on their track, and this might be one of the best in recent memory. Moonbase, formerly Moonbase Commander, returns today with this dark, slinky new track featuring none other than Anderson Paak, who seems to be just about everywhere lately. The track was conceived online, with the artists communicating from Sydney and Los Angeles. It’s a seductive, understated banger with a deep growl of a bass, brightened by trappy synths, with unsettlingly flitting snares blurring the gaps between. Paak, of course, takes centre stage, with his verses and choruses markedly different to most of what we’ve heard from him so far. While his unique voice feels extremely familiar by now, it’s thrilling to hear him on a track with such a dark, dangerous atmosphere.
The Cactus Channel & Sam Cromack, Sorry Hills
This is the first new track in a while to be released by Melbourne collective the Cactus Channel. It features the immediately recognisable voice of Ball Park Music’s frontman Sam Cromack, and the pairing is immediately magnetising and seamless – a good thing, considering they’re releasing a full six-track collaborative EP later this year. This track is incredibly soulful, with honeyed chords, a syncopated rhythm and smooth bass setting the scene, embellished by brass layers, perfectly utilised at all the right moments throughout. This EP is going to be really special.
Image: Moonbase, supplied
BADBADNOTGOOD – Lavender ft. Kaytranada
Now, we’re not saying that Dungeons and Dragons was the reason Will Byers ended up in The Upsidedown in Stranger Things, but the video for BADBADNOTGOOD‘s collab with Kaytranada isn’t exactly helping the case. Lavender is the second video to come off the back of this year’s album IV and centres around a D&D campaign gone horribly wrong. Seemingly all hope is lost after a shady as hell Dungeon Master shackles the band to their chairs and even a holographic Kaytranada can’t rescue them when they’re forced into a game of Russian Roulette.
Thankfully, when the pizza (food of Gods and basement nerds alike) arrives, they have time to poison his drink, leading him to a gruesome and bloody death. Honestly, all the kidnapping and death could have been avoided if they’d just gone with John Dempsey -a far more legit-seeming Dungeon Master 4 Hire whose infomercial runs at the end of the clip- instead of some dude whose ad was stapled to an electrical pole.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AJOqx6_UKQ
Emeli Sandé – Garden
The video for Scottish singer Emeli Sandé utterly dreamy track Garden is, as expected following the track’s October release, exquisite and ethereal. Set on the grounds of a resplendent estate in the country-side, the clip has Sandé, along with an entourage that includes featured artists Áine Zion and Jay Electronica surrounded by greenery and shrouded in mist and smoke as Sandé distinct, hypnotic, haunting vocal refrain echoes throughout. Speaking about the song, which she says is her favourite on the album, Sandé said it was “an expression of freedom and passion, two important parts of life, which I hadn’t really explored until a few years ago.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqlf9FAKPRc&feature=youtu.be
All Our Exes Live In Texas – Tell Me (Live)
Heartache personified is a song called Tell Me by Sydney’s All Our Exes Live In Texas. So poignant is the song –a one-sided conversation between two former lovers– that the folk quartet didn’t need to make use of an overly conceptual music video. Instead, the live clip consists of a stage, beautiful soft lighting and places all the focus on the raw emotions of rejection and longing brought to life through the swaying group harmonies and poignant instrumentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTyQu6iz68
Alicia Keys, Blended Family (What You Do For Love) ft. A$AP Rocky
Following the release of her latest album Here, Alicia Keys has returned to her heartfelt sound with second single, the beautiful Blended Family. With a laid-back guitar driven beat, Keys’ tone glides beautifully over the track, only to be contrasted by a similarly sincere verse from A$AP Rocky. The video too continues this genuine feel, exhibiting people and families as they laugh and interact, not to mention the chemistry that Alicia Keys and Rocky show in the video; feel good is an understatement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbGm5f5PR2o
A Tribe Called Quest, We The People…
After releasing their final album just two weeks ago following the passing of the legendary Phife Dawg, A Tribe Called Quest have now continued their incredible takeover with visuals for We The People… It couldn’t have come at a more better time; with America split in two ahead of the recent presidential election, Tribe’s empowering track has been given an equally powerful clip. Fronted by the group’s surviving members, along with collaborator Busta Rhymes, the pioneers broadcast their conscious message to a sea of supporters. Of course there is a touching tribute to Phife, which showcases through the video, proving while they may be one man down, Tribe’s spirit will continue to break down barriers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO2Su3erRIA
Spring King, City
The sequel to their incredible last clip Detroit, Manchester’s own Spring King are back with an equally hilarious video for City. The clip follows characters Roderick and Penelope in an 80s inspired European dating show, as they stumble through a number of hilarious dating scenarios and situations, from bumper carts to roller-skating. As funny as it is, in the end it’s the explosive tune that keeps you watching, with jangly riffs and throat scorching sing-alongs, Spring King know how to rock.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgwm9wrbL7Y
Bassnectar, TKO ft. Rye Rye & Zion I
After releasing his tenth studio album back in June, Cali’s dance king Bassnectar has returned with a powerful clip for this heavy single TKO. A genre defying mix of glitch, electronic and hip-hop, the gritty synth driven banger features both rap verses alongside a smooth hook from collaborators Rye Rye and Zion I. Bassnectar has always been known for pushing the boundaries with his music videos, and this was no different. An incredible mix of lo-fi and futuristic twangs, the clip is a testament to modern visual effects and editing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kekmipvfZ2I
Washington, Saint Lo
After releasing her last album back in 2014, there’s been quite a wait for fans of Megan Washington, but luckily, her newest video lives up to expectations. Written in LA, the track builds upon her relaxed electronic style, with her voice soaring smoothly over the wavy instrumental beneath. Playing along an equally powerful, experimental video, no doubt we can’t wait to see what Washington has next up her sleeves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40S9VeTrYA0
Words by Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh and Martin McConnell
Image: ATCQ
From hip-hop to electronica, R&B and beyond, here are some of Howl & Echoes’ favourite new all-Australian singles and videos. Enjoy!
Gold Class, Kids on Fire
I’ve been slow on the uptake with Gold Class, but they’re kicking ass right now and absolutely worth all the hype. Having built a reputation as an incredible live act, they’ve been laying low in the studio, now returning with the first taste of their new album, recorded at Tropical Fuckstorm Studios, presumably property of The Drones‘ own Tropical Fuckstorm Records.
I love the rumbling richness of vocalist, pared with the sparsity of the backing riffs and rhythm. The overall atmosphere has a classic sentiment, but it’s ripped up and dragged into 2016 by those chorus peaks – wild, refined chaos.
Hit up their socials for upcoming tour dates and more.
Anfa Rose, T.I.W.H (Prod. Dopamine)
Hearing amazing R&B from our own shores isn’t as rare as it once was; the bountiful harvest of seductive crooners is a warmly welcomed addition to the Australian musical landscape. With that, it’s exciting to learn that a new hip-hop-focused imprint has been founded by the one and only Miracle, known as WVS (Waves). Newcomer Anfa Rose‘s T.I.W.H, produced by the ever-talented Dopamine is the first official release. Devastating pianos are quickly brightened by Morrocan-born Rose’s velvety lilt. A hint of auto-tune and a big, brassy beat give it a sharp edge; this is slick. Really slick.
Follow WVS here and get ready for a new WV of Australian aural ambrosia.
All Our Exes Live in Texas, The Devil’s Part
Aside from having one of the best names in the game, All Our Exes Live in Texas have just released one of the best, darkest folk tracks I’ve heard all year. The Devil’s Part has a brooding, chilling tang to it, what with its blend of the tinny, almost Kate Bush-esque vocals and thinly flickered guitars. There’s a melodramatic spin to the overall atmosphere, almost cinematic in nature. Harmonised choruses in folk often make or break a tune for me (those bright singalong phrases often feel so weak), but it fits this track like a perfect, blood-stained glove. Coupled with a beautiful video courtesy of Nils Crompton, I didn’t want this one to end.
The band are gearing up to release debut album We May in February 2017, ahead of which they’re embarking on a major national tour – details here.
A.B Original, January 26
Without a shadow of a doubt, A.B.Original are my favourite Australian act to emerge in 2016. I cannot remember when I found a new Australian act whose songs I literally play on repeat because they’re so good that I just can’t follow it up with anything else. The combination of Briggs and Trials is fucking dynamite and I genuinely can’t stop listening. Intelligent, conscious, self-aware lyrics? Check. Slick, often hilarious rhymes? You got it. Heavy as fuck beats and deep, bouncing bass? Bingo.
Featuring the one and only Dan Sultan, January 26 is the latest in a slew of smart, catchy as hell spits that actually make you stop and think. As you might guess, the track explains exactly why having Australia Day on January 26 is frustrating, offensive, and insulting to so many Indigenous Australians. Listen and learn, folks.
Moon Holiday, Out of Bounds
Oooof. Moon Holiday’s been around for more than five years now, and her output keeps getting better. Real name Alex Ward, she has now teamed up with production two-piece Cliques (George Nicholas of Seekae and Hamish Dixon) for this gorgeous late-night single. Out of Bounds track drips with seduction and sensuality, playing with sound and sparsity to a precise tee, with layers of sound and emotion waxing and waning around that big, shuffling rhythm.
Evocative and interesting, her voice is absolutely one of my favourites in Australian electronic scene right now. Coupled with such carefully arranged instrumentation and production that uses space as cleverly as it does the sounds the between it, this is a really sublime new number.
One for the bedroom playlist.
Tour dates with Rainbow Chan here.
Fascinator, Skin Within
New York-based, Australia born Fascinator has returned with an incredibly catchy new track, Skin Within, the first new music since debut album Man. It’s trippy and summery, sure, but it maintains a driving bass that’s deep and heavy enough to keep it grounded, so it doesn’t get lost among the lo-fi clouds. I love the instrumentation, the diversity of sounds and textures blended in to give this such a full, lush sound.
In all honesty, I found the muffled vocals to be the weakest layer; the immense instrumental tones are hypnotic and mesmerising, a very on-trend blend of warbled psychedelia and thumping electronica. Overall, this track is bloody wonderful.
Lanks, Holla
Finally today, we’ve got a new tune from the incredibly talented Melbourne artist Lanks. Holla is the first track from his upcoming EP, Viet Rose, out October 14. If this is anything to go by (and we’re assuming it is), then we’re in for a very special treat. While the core of this track is smooth, understated electronica, it’s the embellishments and added layers that take it to another level. Warbled vocal samples and big, choppy synths pepper the soundscape, and later softened by a beautiful guitar melody.
The EP was named after Lanks’ favourite Melbourne laksa joint, co-produced by Andrei Eremin, and featuring collaborations with Tom Iansek, Airling and more.
Head to Lanks’ Facebook for upcoming tour dates and more.
Image: Moon Holiday – supplied