This week in the world of music videos feels like a walk down nostalgia lane. The collection of clips we are have for you are at times raw, fuzzy, frenzied, colourful and full of feeling. With directors taking us everywhere from inside the machine to the depths of the ocean, there’s a whole journey to be had, so get clicking below and bring the weekend in with some solid viewing.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Robot Stop
In search of a face melter? King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have got your back with their video for track Robot Stop. These guys have been busy, playing a slew of sold out shows across the country, and it’s easy to see why.
The video is the next installment in their Nonagon Infinity series and comes to us via director Jason Galea. “It’s about wear and tear. Its also about lazer beams, plagues, computers, cogs, endurance and reincarnation,” he says of the 8 bit seizure inducer. The band are just about to embark on a UK/Europe tour, and the full Nonagan Infinity film is set for completion before the end of 2016. These guys don’t believe in breathers, and that’s just fine with us.
https://youtu.be/9p_Si21ig7c
James Vincent McMorrow – Rising Water
More short film than video clip, the visuals to accompany James Vincent McMorrow’s Rising Water have surfaced and taken us into the deep. The clip tells a story of love found and lost at the edge of a dark, swirling and infinite sea. Stunning choreography, so many pensive stares and McMorrow’s delicate lyricism is sure to make you feel all the feelings.
The clip comes as part of Tidal’s exclusive content, where full album We Move will be released in the near future. Check it out here.
Mild High Club – Skiptracing
Jilted jangles of reverberated sunshine sound like a cassette tape played so many times the sounds warp. Frontman Alexander Brettin transports listeners to another era, like a washed out polaroid of a day at the beach, with the clip to accompany taking all those throwback vibes and bringing them to life with a collection of snapshots that could easily be stolen from the memory of your parents.
It’s nostalgia for something you’ve never had at it’s very best. As the title track off upcoming record due out August 26th, we look forward to some more time travel shortly.
https://youtu.be/n7SJM6o-RJ4
Sa-Roc – NSFW (Not Safe For Weak Rappers)
This clip is not the usual NSFW that you’re used to, so no need to swivel that monitor away from the gaze of unwanted eyes. Sa-Roc‘s energetic rhymes are definitely not safe for weak rappers, and she slays them accordingly with her lyrical ammunition. There are stunning visuals to accompany from Sol Messiah, showcasing the goddess MC in all her colourful beauty.
In case you weren’t sure that you need to get up on this now, the track features a cameo from Sway In The Morning hosts Tracy G and Sway Calloway. Do yourself a favour and be ahead of the game.
https://youtu.be/-8FQ24Cxyc4
Dom Zilla – Tonight
Newcastle based producer Dom Zilla started making tracks in his bedroom at the age of 12, and by 19 his beats were being used by the likes of Raekwon, Skinnyman and Fallacy. It is no surprise then that his luscious and textured soundscapes are now earning him critical acclaim. Track Tonight is lovely and understated with a video that traces the moment when two paths converge with an electric connection.
Dom is one to watch in 2016 and is further proof that Aus soil is fertile breeding grounds for the best electronic talent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQQefgU5dX4
Here it is, your weekly playlist of some of our favourite new songs this week! We try to cover as much ground as possible, and here’s a few amazing new tracks we might have missed throughout the week.
Enjoy!
- Roots Manuva, On A High
Off the back of last year’s stunning new album Bleeds, On A High can be found on the upcoming deluxe version. Backed by an eerie, synth-based instrumental and a thin, rather unsettling vocal loop, Roots paints a dark, lyrically illustrative picture, ominous but not quite as gritty as some of last year’s tracks. This is another great track, with Roots continuing his reign as one of the UK’s best hip-hop exports ever. Read our review of the incredible Bleeds here. - Aphty Khea, Onyx Glitz
Aphty Khea has just released a two-track EP, and it’s so good that we’re featuring both right here. The slinky, electro-trip hop offerings immediately evoke a lush, immersive atmosphere that I quickly found myself lost among. The rhythm and sparse instrumental layers, predominantly percussive effects and glitchy piano trickles, create an unsettling backdrop which slowly builds behind the multi-layered vocal melody. - Aphty Khea, Peacebloom
The second half of Khea’s EP, Peacebloom begins with a briefly noisy sample, before we’re immediately thrust into a much deeper atmosphere. The huge beat and deep, resounding bass quickly forms a syncopated rhythm, as a seductive vocal loop injects melody up above. I absolutely love how deep and trippy this instrumental is, and the vocal melody is simply sublime. Of the two, this is my favourite, but put together, you’ve got an incredible eight minutes of sonic magic. - Marcus, Toast
Another incredible upcoming name in hip-hop from our own backyard, Melbourne’s Marcus has this week released new track Toast, following on from his new mixtape Pizza For Breakfast. The production is really beautiful, courtesy of Basquiat JR, best known for producing Joey Badass’ Christ Conscious. Marcus has a really smooth, natural flow, an absolute pleasure to listen to for the track’s theme-appropriate 4:20 running time. - Ryan Hemsworth, Wait ft. Keaton Henson & Mitski
Goddamn. The Adult Swim singles series just gets better and better each week. Today, we’ve got a brand new Ryan Hemsworth production, featuring deep vocals from Keaton Henson, along with the delicate darkness of Mitski, who just released new album Puberty 2. This is a deeply emotive track, and the low chords, robotic synth effects and both guests’ vocals altogether create something really quite heavy and introverted. - Tempesst, Broke Down Blues
Lightening the mood a bit, The Aussie born, London based duo Tempesst are back with a rich, twangy, guitar-laden campfire track. Raucous and bluesy (as the name might suggest), this is so, so catchy and a real pleasure to listen to – you can absolutely picture this as a late night festival singalong. - Dom Zilla, Tonight
We’ve covered the UK’s Dom Zilla a couple times before, and each time, I love it. New track Tonight is a blissfully smooth, full, soulful offering. “I don’t need nobody tonight,” he begins, forming a calmly comforting atmosphere that flows so beautifully throughout this wonderful track. - Japanese Wallpaper, Cocoon
Melbourne’s Japanese Wallpaper, aka Gab Strum, has finally returned with new track Cocoon. The first track since his self-titled debut EP, this is a warm, rich tune, showing off a deep melody and a really beautiful, full, warm soundscape. This marks Strum’s first track featuring his own vocals, and it couldn’t work better. I can’t wait to hear more. - James Vincent McMorrow, Rising Water
The bearded man with one of the most delicate voices in folk music has returned, and he’s had one hell of a makeover. This is a really exciting new direction that he’s heading in, following his 2014 album Post Tropical, and I really, really like it. Swift percussion, a funky bass and a wonderful melody come together in the first track off his newly announced third LP, We Move, out September 2. Listen to Rising Water here. - Kacy Hill, Lion
G.O.O.D Music’s Kacy Hill has released released Lion, the first track to be released from her highly anticipated debut album, out later this year. This is a truly incredible track, and I can’t wait for the full record. Dark yet dainty, emotive and commanding throughout, showcasing her incredible, unique vocals and a powerful chorus. Listen to Lion here.
Image: Ryan Hemsworth / Adult Swim
After making his debut last year with Chasing Days EP, UK producer Dom Zilla has teamed up with Skinnyman for his follow up release. M.S.I Part II dropped this week via Soundcloud and also bring the promise of a sophomore record from Dom Zilla.
Co-written by Dave Okumu of The Invisible, sparse, soul infused melodies and light-touch beats continue the narrative that Zilla began with his debut release. Almost teasing material at just over two minutes, M.S.I Part II has the feel of an introductory piece with its mesmerising feels; short and sweet. Skinnyman brings his legendary street corner style spits to the track; a nice helping of grit to roughen up the impossibly smooth textures of the track. Zilla adds his own lighter vocal touch to the backing and chorus refrains.
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M.S.I Part II sees Dom Zilla stepping confidently up to this next release, and maybe settling into his solo project with a little more purpose. Chasing Days was a strong debut, and Zilla is far from green, with albums’ worth of experience including Lulu James’ Black Butter classic Be Safe. But in M.S.I Part II Zilla turns shows off his talent as a producer with perhaps a little more certainty in his writing. A particularly strong collaborative effort, we’re hoping that this latest release promises a sophomore record from Dom Zilla this year.
Image: Supplied
Having previously steered clear of the spotlight, London-based producer and writer Dom Zilla has been making music since the age of twelve. The beating heart behind a number of releases, including Lulu James’ hit Be Safe, Dom Zilla has now stepped forward with his own debut release.
The first track from Dom Zilla, Take Home, dropped earlier this year – a gorgeous sun-drenched track melding laid back beats and dream pop, all topped off with Dom Zilla’s soulful vocal. Now onto the second single from his upcoming EP, Cold is another stunning offering from Dom Zilla. Riding on a slow metronomic beat, that cuts through like Massive Attack’s Teardrop, the production is gloriously sparse. Pulsating synths and whispering cascades round out the sonic textures, however the real stand out is the vocal line.
Not having his lent his voice to a release previously, Dom Zilla is soulful without crooning. More human than smooth, it has nothing to do with the “new soul’ artists spinning out of Spotify at an alarming rate. Treating the vocals more like instrumentation than the main event, his light falsetto stretches out over the track in place of an instrumental top line. Luxuriously layering vocals as the track builds, the interjections washed through with effects hook you right from the start.
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Cold is an evocative and sensual track, and one that rekindles a mesmerising trip-hop feel. Dom Zilla’s talents as a writer and producer come to the fore in this beautifully crafted release, a certain hesitancy to take the limelight is nearly tangible in his music, but it translates as an appealing modesty and earnestness. With both Take Home and Cold under his belt, Dom Zilla has proved that he is more than deserving of that spotlight.
The debut EP from Dom Zilla, Chasing Days, is scheduled for release this November.