Bundles and bundles of new music, albums, videos and more are out coming out every week, and 2016 seems to be one of the most fruitful years in memory. Here’s this week’s best videos!
Sparrow – Get To Know You
A delightfully kitsch and somewhat eccentric clip featuring, this new video from Sydney’s Sparrow is a soft, playful adventure through the awe-inspiring, picturesque Blue Mountains.
It all seems a bit odd at first: the handmade animal masks, the toy instruments, the styling which seems to feature socks as mittens… But it all makes sense once you find out that the whole story behind the song informs the video. Speaking on Get To Know You, the singer explained that she had found herself in one of those magical festival settings where you’re having the time of your life with a bunch of strangers. “I think the costumes certainly played a role in us being able to express ourselves freely. The video is a fun extension of this experience… the masks and styling creates an other-wordly feel.”
The actors in the video too, were all strangers who all got to know one another as the day of filming went on. “We are all strangers but could easily get to know each other if we wanted too, but we often don’t and I wish we would more.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AszsnFUGboY&feature=youtu.be
Röyksopp – Never Ever ft. Susanne Sundfør
Two words: Intergalactic. Disco.
Honestly what more could you even want from a music video? Stepping away from their usual dark, sombre approach to music videos, the clip for Röyksopp‘s Never Ever is full of colour, shape, movement and some very disco outfits. The result is a fun, at times kind of strange but ultimately carefree, video that fits pretty perfectly with the energy of the song – which needless to say is set on high. With Never Ever, the duo have made an effort to strip away the serious art business facade in favour of a refreshing burst of colour, energy and fun that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDBzeM6KLlQ
Kaytranada – You’re The One ft. Syd
Having just released his new mixtape 0.001% last week, Kaytranada has now dropped the video for his Syd (Tha Kyd)-featuring track You’re The One, from his award-winning, critically acclaimed debut LP 99.9%. The idea from the video, directed by Shomi Patwary (Beyonce, A$AP Rocky, Mark Ronson) was born out of Kaytranada’s favourite episode of the sitcom Martin in which an African prince turns up with the offerings of life-changing opportunities. The music video, however, takes a slightly different turn. It looks decidedly 90s, which works well with the whole Martin theme and is set up to seem a lot like an episode of a TV show, complete with a girl’s night in and a fancy af party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKlA5tRu6f0
Dave – Wanna Know
One of the UK’s most promising acts is undoubtedly South London’s Santan Dave. The 17 year old blew up with the huge hit Thiago Silva alongside friend and collaborator AJ Tracey, and while AJ has been churning out banger after banger, Dave has been hard at work on his upcoming Six Paths EP. Six tracks deep, last month Dave dropped the first single, the thought-provoking piano based Picture Me, yet now he’s returned with an even catchier tune. Brilliantly shot by Dir. Lx with Italy as the backdrop, Wanna Know sees him flexing his variety as an artist, singing and rhyming over a more mid tempo, bass heavy beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2H0mXC2Wbs&feature=youtu.be
Flume – Heater
After dropping his incredible sophomore album Skin earlier this year, and even announcing that he has a series of EPs on the way, Australia’s favourite good guy himself Flume has dropped a new single for a good cause. Used as the background song for the latest #KeepSydneyOpen video, Heater is an atmospheric, wavy banger which undeniably sounds like a lost deep cut to his LP. We only hope that this track features on a later project so that we can get that official release.
Read our full review of Flume, Skin here
Born Joy Dead – Sourdough
Fresh from their unbelievable showcases at this year’s Bigsound, Brissy boys Born Joy Dead have returned with a punchy new single called Sourdough. An infectious blend of enchanting guitar riffs, bouncing drums, and a calming yet uplifting tone from front man Ben Dalton, this is feel good in the best of ways. The tune is a result of the band’s new organic writing style, and so far we can’t fault it! Even the video parallels this good natured feel, with a hilarious office instructional video which will have you playing office chair dodgems in no time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pruD0CjmW9A
Captain Murphy – Crowned
Thanks to Adult Swim’s Singles series, we’ve been lucky enough to have some incredible tunes from the likes of Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt and Ryan Hemsworth, and if it couldn’t get any better, Flying Lotus himself has made an appearance. Performing in the form of his alias Captain Murphy, Crowned is an incredibly evil and shivering track, in which Lotus’ rap ego flexes a distorted and unearthly sound as he tangles rhymes into place. It’s like a real horror movie – so gripping that you just can’t look away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnbxXYaGC4g
Image: Flume / Cybele Malinowski
Upcoming Brisbane band Born Joy Dead have very quickly made themselves known as an act to watch. I first heard them late last year with their second single Hey Blood, which I described at the time as a “a romping, stomping indie rock track complete with wailing guitars, a gorgeous beat, and a full blown singalong chorus.”
The new project of former Hungry Kids of Hungary bassist Ben Dalton, these guys have a solid sound and huge potential. They recently headed to Melbourne on tour, and sent us some pics documenting the action!
This is what our plane looks like… You know, so you can find it later or something.
We arrived safely and decided to beer. This roof was very cold and you can really tell that we are not familiar with the icy Melbourne weather. We are weaklings.
Here is a toilet that has been shit on fewer times than Chris Martin’s piano.
We weren’t too sure if we’d make it out of this very old elevator alive. After this photo, we said our goodbyes just in case.
…and here we are in our natural habitat. Kings of the alleyway! This was after an epic meal in China town. The night got a little blurry after this.
GIG DAY! #chipsforbreakfast
The weather was phenomenal so we thought it might be nice to go to the beach and check out some really expensive sheds.
More roof, more sun and quite possibly the best drink on earth.
We had to pack light for this show and were forced to leave our pyrotechnics and Marshall stacks at home. Still, we had our amazing bodies on display for all to see.
Time to play
Born Joy Dead are continuing their tour throughout June.We highly recommend checking this out!
Sunday June 7: Powerhouse, Brisbane
Sunday June 13: Woolly Mammoth, Brisbane (supporting We All Want To)
Friday June 19: MUM @ World Bar, Sydney
After the release of their debut EP, Stones In My Shoe, the new (or new-ish) Brisbane based band Born Joy Dead are hitting the road! I say new-ish due to their lead singer, Ben Dalton having been quite experienced in the biz already, throwing back to the days of Hungry Kids of Hungary – if you don’t know, now you know.
Featuring the two leading singles Hey Blood and Upside Down Inside Out, Born Joy Dead are proving themselves as one of the most exciting acts to come out of the River City in this young year. Now, they’re ready to bring their refined rock to the rest of the nation, hitting Brisbane, Melbourne, Brisbane again and then Sydney in an East Coast tour throughout May and June. Check the dates below and let their title track grace your eardrums, you’ll be thankful that you did!
Born Joy Dead tour dates:
Friday, 8 May – Black Bear Lodge
Brisbane, QLD
Tix here
Saturday, 16 May – Little and Oliver
Melbourne, VIC
Tix here
Sunday, 7 June – Livespark, Powerhouse
Brisbane, QLD
Free
Friday, 19 June – Mum @ The World Bar
Sydney, NSW
Here it is folks, my weekly round-up the best new tunes. Click below for an awesome playlist for your weekend! Lots of garagey guitar stuff this week, with a little soul, a little electronic, and one epic funk track for good measure!
- Pearls, Big Shot
Big beats and bluesy chords open this understated track. The light, punchy male & female vocals lie somewhere in between The Dandy Warhols and Arcade Fire. A deceptive slow burner, it’s subtle, simple, but so catchy and so damn smooth. An impressive new track for Remote Control’s new signees. - Sunbeam Sound Machine, Wandering, I
I love the sun-drenched shoegaze sentimentality of this track. Another crooner with rich guitars and jangly effects, this is a summer soundtrack waiting to happen. The chorus is so hypnotic with its mantra-like vocals. A beat track from the Melbourne man. - Moses Gunn Collective, Mary
Moses Gunn Collective’s new one Mary is one demanding, catchy as hell psych-blues track. Thisis the stuff that the ’70s was made of, but there isn’t an ounce of irony or nostalgia throughout. It’s punchy, it’s funky, I love it. So keen for more from the Brisbane band. - Hamilton, You’ve Got Me Wrong
Some people might think this is a kinda strange entry, but I really digit. It sounds like the kind of music played during some sort of demented circus act. Lovely lyrics and a gorgeous voice lead the way, with some quirky brass leading the backing music. The heavier chorus packs a punch, darkening up the carnival feel. Weird, and great. - Born Joy Dead ‘Hey Blood’
My first reaction was, WOAH. This is great. The first few moments remind me of Monster by Kanye, but as the track progresses, it grows into something so special. It swings, it rocks, it rolls. I love the wailing guitars and the syncopated rhythm SO much. The new project of former Hungry Kids of Hungary bassist Ben Dalton, I am excited about Born Joy Dead. - Total Giovanni, Human Animal
I wasn’t sure about this one at first but it really grew on me. A great blend of crunchy guitars and super spacey bleeps and bloops, this is cool. I particularly dig the FUNKY bass washed-over guitars (which remind me of Pink Floyd’s Learning To Fly), topped with distinctly Beck-esque vocals, this is probably what Talking Heads would sound like if they released something today. - Mont Oliver, White Sheets
I wrote about Mont Oliver last week too, but they’ve just released another new one ‘White Sheets’, and I love it, so i’m writing about it here as well. This one’s packed with hip hop elements, from the lagging beat, the gangsta-style string backing riffs and the tampered vocal licks. It all opens up into a soulful space, with sensual rhythms and a serious groove. Fuck yeah. - Late Night Hysterics, Limerick
Another slow-burner for today, I love the beautiful organ-style ambient opening. The vocals are light, nearly nasal but not, and packed with emotion and intimacy. The track picks up halfway through, gaining momentum with a swift rhythm and big chords, with a full synth build later on. A really interesting tune from the West Australian indie band. - Cosmo’s Midnight, Snare (ft. Wild Eyed Boy)
Cosmo’s Midnight are back, and they’ve got a gorgeous new track for you. Gentle and catchy, Snare is the thing of balmy sunsets and summer escapes. An intricate soundscape with gorgeous electronic and melodic layers, this gets me so excited for the forthcoming EP. - Chiefs & Nick Acquroff, Inside Out
Oh man, this is so smooth from the first moments. The vocals are rich, harmonised and demand your full attention. Combine that with the driving synth and the strong beat, the rhythm builds up and drops into a space that I don’t want to leave. I just want to listen to this track over and over again. I LOVE electronic with soul/R&B aspects, and this is exactly that. - Mark Ronson, Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars
You’ve probably heard this song by now. Our first glimpse into Mark Ronson’s star-studded new album, set to drop in January, this track is a MOTHER of a funk track. I don’t usually like Bruno Mars, but he exudes Michael Jackson in all the right ways on this one. Those brass sections? So good! - Bernaccia, Manifest (ft. Ellen Chetcuti)
Ominous whistles and brooding guitars lead this track, before seductive swing vocals lead the melody. I love how this track glides way under the radar, maintaining a mysterious feel throughout. Chetcuti’s unsweetened, husky vocals are the perfect complement to the main melody. Deep drums and a great fuzzed-up backing section, I’m digging this track from the Newcastle (UK) four-piece.