It hasn’t even been a year since Dustin Tebbutt released his debut album First Light, but that hasn’t stopped his creative drive. The past twelve months have seen the artist release his album, collaborate with world-class artists and complete his own headline run of shows in both capital cities and rural centres of Australia.
The singer is currently taking his incredible live show on the road in support of the great Bernard Fanning, and somewhere along the way he has found time to produce another EP, Give Me Tonight, surprise released just last week.
Taking its name from the First Light single, which was co-written by Gang Of Youths frontman Dave Le’aupepe, the EP features the original album version of the song, as well as three remixes – two of the album’s titular track and a third of Give Me Tonight, each offering the listener a fresh, unique way to interpret his tunes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSCtkBsspzI
The first First Light remix comes courtesy of electronic duo Odelo, turning the gentle ballad into a moody, late-night wind-down jam. It contains all the elements of an atmospheric slow burner, with the impact of the pulsating beat somewhat muffled by the murky synths that float over the top. Upside Down Face delivers the glitchy new take on Give Me Tonight. Similarly, it repurposes the original vocals as a basic foundation from which to build an almost entirely new track. Rather than expanding upon the upbeat proclamations of the original, Upside Down Face adds dense layers of percussion and bass heavy effects to create a powerful, throbbing dance track that utilises dynamics rather than “drops” for effect.
Festival favourite Feki rounds out the EP with his own take on First Light, transforming the song into a feel-good summer party anthem. “Feki has done an awesome job of turning winter into summer on this one” commented Dustin. We couldn’t agree more, with the chilled beats and synths carrying Tebbutt’s floaty vocals over the hypothetical festival fields, no doubt ready to get summer crowds moving at any one of Feki’s summer festival appearances.
The most interesting thing about this EP is the simple fact that these bright electronic infusions really, really suit Tebbutt’s sound and atmosphere. The dense, mysterious realms of the dead of night complement his voice even more than the folky nuances which characterise his original work, and harks back to his short-lived, but lauded collaboration with The Kite String Tangle. This begs the question; what will Dustin do in light of this new experimentation with sound?
The very project of folk remixes is a unique endeavour in itself, with the seeds of the original songs easily adapted to the spacey surroundings of dance music, considering they’re largely without huge electronic soundscapes of their own to begin with. And that’s the other thing – whilst these songs are certainly not “bangers” as the kids say, they carry enough pulse any rhythm to get the feet tapping at the very least.
This EP has breathed new light into songs that fans of more vibrantly electronic tunes may have otherwise overlooked, or relegated to background music. The Give Me Tonight EP is a really successful experiment with Tebbutt’s sounds and melodies produced by the singer, and one can only hope he takes note of what has been achieved with his music here and transfers that onto future projects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bh6IL1mNfc
Catch Dustin Tebbutt on tour with Bernard Fanning:
Tue 18 Oct – Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD
Fri 21 Oct – Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Sat 22 Oct – State Theatre, Sydney
Sun 23 Oct – State Theatre, Sydney
Wed 26 Oct – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
Fri 28 Oct – Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
Sat 29 Oct – Fremantle Arts Centre, WA
Mon 31 Oct -The Palais, Melbourne
Thu 03 Nov – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
Fri 04 Nov -Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns
Sat 05 Nov – Darwin Entertainment Centre, NT
Thu 10 Nov – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Fri 11 Nov – The Tivoli, Brisbane
Sat 12 Nov – The Northern, Byron Bay
Image: Supplied
What could be better? Dustin Tebbutt and Thelma Plum, two of Australia’s best up and coming artists have teamed up for a delicately subtle, balanced tune. Silk is the second track from Tebbutt’s upcoming mini-album Home which will consist of 7 gorgeous tracks – if his recent stuff is anything to go by. The track features the best of Tebbutt and Plum which despite how different their voices are, blend in seamlessly with one another. Tebbutt’s soft tones are overlayed with Plum’s airy vocals, bolstered further by a smattering of acoustic guitars. Like all of Tebbutt’s work, it really only comes to life after a few listens but after that, there’s no denying how compelling the subtle melodies are.
Take a listen below:
The track follows the lead single Home which, naturally, is inspired by his return to his home in Sydney after spending time in the depths of the cold in Scandinavia where he crafted his debut EP The Breach. Since then fans have relished his dulcet tones, scoring sets at Splendour while accompanying artists such as Missy Higgins, Hozier and The Kite String Tangle, who he joined forces with to write Illuminate.
Luckily for us, another tour is headed our way in support of his upcoming album Home – which was written, recorded, produced and even performed by Dustin at his house in Sydney. He is indeed one multi-talented guy.
Intimate setting, Dustin Tebbutt’s voice and perhaps a cameo from Thelma Plum?
Yes please.
DUSTIN TEBBUTT ‘HOME’ TOUR
Presented by The Music, FBi and RTR
Special guests Jesse Davidson & Caitlin Park
Tickets from dustintebbutt.com
FRI 18 SEPT – CORNER HOTEL, MELBOURNE
SAT 19 SEPT – ADELAIDE UNI (LIC/ALL AGES)
FRI 25 SEPT – FACTORY THEATRE, SYDNEY (LIC/ALL AGES)
FRI 02 OCT – THE ZOO, BRISBANE
SAT 10 OCT – THE ROSEMOUNT, PERTH
‘Home’ is an important theme for indie folk singer-songwriter Dustin Tebbutt, who threads the sound of his Scandinavian and Australian roots through each of his releases. The theme is carried through distinctly to Tebbutt’s upcoming mini-album which features new single Home, a gorgeous, delicate track with the initial familiarity of Tebbutt’s classic indie-folk sound, which builds into a more dynamic climax with heart-breaking strings and thunderous drums.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/216989582″]
Tebbutt has been back on red-dirt home-ground for some time after relocating to Sweden for two years to write and record his achingly-pretty debut EP The Breach and follow-up EP Bones. Reflecting the roots he’d laid at the time, and echoing the likes of Sigur Rós and Asgeir, both are imbued with the otherworldly feel of Nordic winter, with a sense of flickering, cabin-fire warmth created through through Tebbutt’s delicate acoustics and earnest falsetto.
Since returning home to Australia, Tebbutt released the shimmering, dream-like Illuminate, a collaboration with fellow Aussie Danny Harley of The Kite String Tangle and followed up with a national tour that showcased the best of both these emerging artists (we reviewed it here).
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXqTfAWafVY&w=560&h=315]
While sometimes returning from abroad can signal the end of the adventure, for Tebbutt, it seems it marks a road of exciting opportunity. Ahead of the upcoming seven song mini-album set to be released on September 18 and an accompanying national tour, this September streaming service Rdio have selected Tebbutt as their Artist to Watch. Rdio’s Artist to Watch initiative features a series of handpicked local and international artists (with the likes of Alison Wonderland and Last Dinosaurs) which Rdio supports in their development and success. Rdio will not only share Tebbutt’s existing catalogue but a series of exclusive playlists, a selection of influences for upcoming mini-album Home as well as Tebbutt’s pick for his top 5 artists to watch.
With the Nordic winter behind him and the Australian summer ahead, it seems it’s exciting times for one of our favourite indie-folk artists. Welcome home Dustin, we’re glad to have you back.
Stay calm, things are about to get crazy for Dustin Tebbutt fans.
Two years after the release of his debut album The Breach, Tebbutt will release a mini-album with seven tracks featuring the smoothness of his soothing voice. As a preview of what’s to come, he’s released the first single and title track Home. To celebrate his mini-album, he’ll be travelling around Australia for his homecoming tour in September and October.
The excitement is real.
Apparently, all of the album’s tracks were written, recorded, produced and performed by Tebbutt at home. That includes this single. Home has an isolated atmosphere. The piano and light production gives the track a chill sound, giving the focus to Tebbutt’s voice. The vocals echo a story of longing and loneliness as told by Tebbutt’s beautiful lyrics.
Listen below.
This new trip follows his co-headlining tour with collaborator The King String Tangle celebrating the Illuminate EP (containing the single so many people salivated over) and his performance at Splendour In The Grass. This time, he will be joined by South Australian muso Jesse Davidson and Sydney’s Caitlin Park.
Starting in Melbourne in mid-September, he will be performing in some of the biggest venues he’s ever taken on in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and, finally, Perth. Tickets for all venues will be on sale at Thursday August 13 at 10am from Tebbutt’s website.
Tour Dates:
Fri September 18, Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Sat September 19, Adelaide Uni (all ages)
Fri September 25, Factory Theatre, Sydney (all ages)
Fri October 2, The Zoo, Brisbane
Sat October 10, The Rosemount, Perth
Home will be released on September 18th.
Not too long ago we spoke to Danny Harley (aka The Kite String Tangle) about his collaboration with Dustin Tebbutt for Illuminate, a gorgeous piece of dream-pop showcasing Harley and Tebbutt’s tender vocals amongst a wistful soundscape of melodic, warm synths. With the promise of a two-for-one performance featuring Dustin’s achingly pretty folk-pop and Danny’s kaleidoscopic, pared-back electro-pop, I was there with bells on to review the Illuminate LIVE show at The Metro Theatre in Sydney last week.
From the outset, I felt really good about this show. It’s wonderful to see two artists – quite distinct in their respective sounds – display the vulnerability and openness to create something like Illuminate together, and then lend their support to one another to design a live show that allowed them to share both their collaborative and individual work. This feeling of mutual admiration and friendship permeated the entire set and set a wonderful tone for the evening’s show.
With the room already beginning to heave and bulge at the sides, Brisbane support act JOY. (Olivia McCarthy, who we also took photos of recently) kicked off the performance with her delicate, crystal voice, which smoothed over a neat handful of songs including Stone and Weather. She had a slightly awkward stage presence and her voice grappled with commanding the room (hell, she’s only 17), but there was something captivating about her, with all the right things to grow into something marvelous.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtcz1gD47PQ]
Dustin Tebbutt was up next. When he joined the stage, the room bloomed with crimson, soda-orange and purple light, spliced amongst the shadows cast from a backdrop image of icy mountains (perhaps a nod to Sweden, where Dustin lived for two years). His set was simple and captivating; easing through songs like Bones and Honest Hands, with Dustin’s familiar falsetto melting into the rolling, gentle guitar chords. The drums, keyboard and backup harmonies that came with the live set added a new dimension to his songs and provided a structure that helped his sound carry through the room, the vibe of which had softened and felt like an intimate church. Covering TKST’s track Words, as well as new track Where I Find You and crowd-favourite The Breach, Dustin’s gorgeous voice shimmered against articulately delivered guitar. At times he was stripped back and completely acoustic, and others he flirted more strongly with TKST’s gleaming synth backbones, but his performance was a delight throughout.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/100360674″]
Danny (The Kite String Tangle) then emerged and embraced his production box, a space-like cube of synthesisers and microphones, wrapped in blinding strips of kaleidoscopic lights. The mood shifted immediately to an energised, chaotic fever as he delivered his first song What If, a funky assortment of jangling, clankering synthetic percussion that sounded like someone was let loose with drum sticks in an empty prison cell. Songs like What’s the Point? (with its gleaming keyboard), Stone Cold (with JOY. doing a splendid job filling in for Tiana Khasi) and Commotion felt seamless, textured and rich, and overall stronger than his more popular songs like Arcadia and Given the Chance. Danny also did a stunning cover of Dustin’s The Breach, a soaring, amped-up interpretation with scratchy electro beats and a deeper, atmospheric synth base. It was the highlight of his set.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul5NkRKzIkE]
It was then time for Dustin and Danny to take the stage together, first for a cover that everyone but me seemed to recognise (unfortunately Shazam doesn’t work in these situations) but more importantly for their collaboration Illuminate, a flawless amalgamation of their two voices in gorgeous harmony, set amongst a backdrop of flickering lights that hung in the sky like teal stars. Visibly overwhelmed by the reception from the crowd, Danny and Dustin hugged and thanked everyone and left the stage.
As the crowd dissipated I thought, man, more artists should do this; what a great display of camaraderie and friendship. Harley and Tebbutt built and shared the live experience together, and for want of a less clumsy phrase, the sum felt more than the parts.
Fresh off the plane from a whirlwind appearance at Japan’s 24 hour Taico Club festival, we caught Danny Harley, aka The Kite String Tangle, to chat about his collaboration with folk-pop delight Dustin Tebbutt on the single Illuminate, released in late April 2015. With a glistening core steeped in TKST’s distinctive, warm synths, Illuminate is a beautifully produced, melodic piece of electropop, with a rich, layered soundscape and a dreamy emulsion of both Harley and Tebbutt’s choral vocals. On the back of the single, the two have also announced an East Coast tour in June (Illuminate LIVE) as well as a set of limited edition 10″ vinyl splits featuring the gorgeous cover art of Leif Podhajsky and two additional songs, where each artist covers one of the other’s tracks (you can hear a sneak-peek of TKST covering The Breach on the artists’ Facebook pages).
After chatting way back in December, in this interview Danny gave us an update on his experience collaborating with Dustin: what it was like to build Illuminate from “the ground up”, the balance of holding your own creatively and being open to the creation process. Danny also talks to us about what they have planned for the Illuminate LIVE tour, wanting to have a female support act (Brisbane’s gorgeous pop ingenue JOY), who he really wants to collaborate with and his upcoming trip to visit the Northern Lights in Iceland.
As always, a delight to speak to one of Australia’s most exciting electropop artists and celebrate a collaboration that – we hope – isn’t over just yet.
Hi Danny, how’s it going? Are you back in Australia?
Hey there! Yeah I got back yesterday. Things are pretty good, cruisey, I’ve just been tinkering away.
You were just in Japan for the Taico Club Festival. How was it?
It was insane, really good. The Japanese audiences are very different – they’re super polite and attentive, they kind of watch the whole thing and then clap at the end, and they really absorb what you’re doing. It was a nice reception, and a nice mix of people who knew my stuff and people who were hearing it for the first time. It was an insane festival; I can’t believe they don’t have that kind of thing here. It went all the way through the night, it started at 2pm and went through to 2pm the next day – there was no sleeping time. I made it to about 7am but I had to be on a bus at 11am to get back to Tokyo.
That’s pretty hectic. Well, the primary reason for us chatting is to catch up about The Kite String Tangle x Dustin Tebbutt collaboration, Illuminate. Congratulations – it’s a gorgeous track and we think it brings the best out in both your sounds. You must be thrilled with the reception.
Thank you. It’s funny actually, for me it was a project that didn’t really have the pop song structure or anything immediately ‘grabby’ about it, it was just a cool track that was really vibey that I liked, and Dustin liked, and it was more about the process of creating an awesome little song that we both loved. Then when it got added to radio I was a bit baffled by it because I didn’t think it was the kind of song that would do that. I’m stoked with the reception, it’s really cool, and a testament to peoples’ music tastes in Australia that that kind of song can be added.
It sounds like you and Dustin have a great friendship and the collaboration was pretty smooth overall. Reflecting back on when you were going into it, what were you the most excited about and what were you the most unsure about?
Actually we’d only met a couple of times before we got in a room and started producing music. I guess there was a bit of pressure to hold your own creatively, and that’s both exciting and nerve wracking. There was no real ‘bad’ option because we went into it with no specific purpose in mind. We thought, if we got something out of it, cool, if we don’t, no time’s been wasted, so I guess there wasn’t any fear of failure. We went into it completely open and went from there. I had some of the basic structure (a lot of the sounds that you hear at the start, the pittery pattery synth ambience and random sounds) laid out from something I had been working on that wasn’t right for just me alone, so we laid that out and started working on it, and it turned into what it is now. We built it from the ground up from there.
You’ve got an incredible ability to capture feelings of nostalgia and the complexities of romance through your lyrics. Can you describe some of the key themes that Illuminate aimed to capture and how you and Dustin wrote the lyrics together?
I’ve never written lyrics with someone else before so it was kind of strange because Dustin and I, having only met a couple of times, had to get into a process that we both found quite personal. So it was interesting writing lyrics with someone else for the first time. We didn’t base it on anything too close to ourselves but it was something that we could both relate to that we could extrapolate from. The theme was exploring a blossoming relationship and the start of some of the complications that come with that.
I was watching the visualiser and reflecting on how electronic music can be quite visual, even some of the words we use to describe it are visual (sparkly, glittering, etc.) and the name Illuminate is quite visual. Given this idea of the ‘visual’ side of the song, can you tell us more about the cover art and the visualiser? Were you trying to represent the essence of the track?
Sexy cover art for TKST x DT ‘lluminate
Totally. The cover art was actually done by Leif Podhajsky. He’s one of my favourite album artists and I was really stoked we could get him onboard to do the art. He did the art for Bonobo’s The North Borders and a bunch for Tame Impala, some really impressive visual art. For this particular artwork we got a whole bunch of options and Dustin and I really resonated with this one. Visually it had a lot going on which was representative of the track for us, lots of little bits and pieces and glimmery little morsels. The visualiser was something that we wanted to do so it wasn’t a static picture. Something that Dustin said, which I hadn’t really thought about, is that it kind of ‘switches your brain off’ – there’s something happening to distract you but it’s not totally engaging in a way where it distracts you from listening. It’s a nice thing to have that gets you to think about the music more.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsowSrJmP0c&w=560&h=315]
You and Dustin have the Illuminate LIVE Tour coming up in June. I love that you’re designing the shows to highlight both your collaborative work as well as your independent stuff. Two for one, we like a lot. What do you think will be different about this tour?
This will be the first time I’m not performing solo, I’ll have a drummer with me which is cool and the first time I’ve ever done that. We’ll be doing the collaboration with my drummer, Dustin’s band and Dustin himself. It will be a fun collaborative energy towards the end of the set. You’ll have to let me know how it is!
Definitely, it will be great. Can you tell us about the choice of JOY. as your support act? (PS – check out our photo shoot with JOY. here)
Dustin and I know her from Brisbane. We both wanted a female support act to give it a balance and dynamic, and she’s pretty amazing. She does a lot of dancey stuff, and so do I, and I also do a lot of sombre stuff, so I think it’ll be great for her to be able to explore that side of things as well.
In the theme of Illuminate, we were thinking about how humans love lights, we’re attracted to them like moths to a flame. We’re going to give you a list of some of the most famous night lights in the world and you have to pick which one you want to see in person and why. The options are: a) NYE fireworks in Times Square, New York b) the Northern Lights in Scandinavia c) the Eiffel Tower at night d) heading to outback Australia and being able to see the stars and of course, e) Vivid Sydney.
Definitely lock in b) ‘Aurora Borealis’, for sure. It was my birthday a little while ago and my girlfriend got me a package to go to Iceland in a year or two – so it’s a long term project – but it’s one of those things we’ve always wanted to do. Huge goal of mine.
We know you haven’t crossed out the option of collaborating with Dustin again so we’ll definitely keep our fingers crossed for that in the future. Are there other artists you’d love to collaborate with?
Totally. I really like working with other producers and also with other artists (as a producer), so it leaves me really open to collaborate. If it was an open skies conversation I’d love to work with producer Jon Hopkins (who did a lot of work with Brian Eno), he’s my number one guy I’d want to work with. He’s got an insane grasp on sound and texture and everything he releases blows my mind.
Well it’s been a big year for you and sounds like it’s only getting bigger with your latest US tour announcement, really exciting. Good luck on the upcoming Illuminate LIVE Tour and thanks for chatting today!
Thanks – see you then!
Here are the details for the (very sadly SOLD OUT shows)
Sat 20 June – Brisbane – The Triffid
www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Thur 25 June – Sydney – The Metro
www.ticketek.com.au 1300 795 012
Fri 26 June – Melbourne – 170 Russell
www.170russell.com 1300 724 867
Hello and welcome to a extra large edition of your weekly Howl & Echoes playlist. The 130track whopper starts off with some soulful crooning, before we hit an electronic hill, and roll back down with some serious hip hop. Enjoy!
The Kite String Tangle & Dustin Tebbutt, Illuminate
Well this is just a match made in heaven. Blending TKST’s talent for gorgeous electronic melodies with Tebbutt’s vocals (as well as his own,) this is a beautiful song and the perfect start to your weekly playlist. A gentle atmosphere starts to build throughout, at a perfect pace and with such a rich soundscape. We hear a lot of melodic electronica every week, but this collab absolutely stands out. In fact I like this better than any song the two have released individually. The pair are touring together soon – hopefully an EP is in the works!
Wet, Deadwater
We had fun taking photos of Wet while they were on tour opening for London Grammar. I absolutely loved their debut EP, so it’s great to hear new music today. Taking cues from the likes of Purity Ring and Chvrches, Deadwater toys with a brighter electro-pop sound and airy, breathy vocals. However, the laid back groove and organic soundscape keep them a little more refrained, kind of like Rhye. Beautiful and somehow sad all at once, I absolutely love this track.
Darius, Helios ft. Wayne Snow (Myd Remix)
Yes, this is the third time this track has featured in a weekly playlists. I still can’t get enough of the original track, and now Myd has put his own spin on it. The Bromance Records producer has sped it up and tacked on a swift beat, a shuffled rhythm and a bright house beat. Admittedly I don’t like it as much as Bondax’s version, but I have a feeling this’ll be a big favourite for the house-inclined folk out there.
Aeroplane, Let’s Get Slow ft. Benjamin Diamond
Another house track to lighten up this playlist, Aeroplane’s latest takes you back to those balmy summer nights, now a distant memory. I really love Benjamin Diamond’s vocals. There’s something nostalgic about that melody, and his voice has a really lovely richness to it. The bubbly synths brighten up the simple rhythm, and the whole thing blooms into something heavier and really catchy as it progresses along.
Leon Osborn, You Were Gone ft. Barksdale
Newly signed to Pilerats Records, Leon Osborne releases this eerie, experimental electronic track. It’s one of those track where there’s a lot to explore – the more you listen, the deeper you delve. There’s a great variety of tones and colours throughout the layers, and they’ve come together to create something really unique and definitely interesting. Definitely a track to listen to with headphones on, at full volume to take it all in.
Slumberjack, The Others ft. KLP (UZ Remix)
I’ll admit that I’m pretty sick of super low pitch-shifted vocals, but I really do enjoy this deep, dark remix of Slumberjack’s track with KLP. The slow beat really envelops you, and as the soundscape starts to build, it only grows more haunting and more captivating. Strange, strange things starts to happen after the 90-second mark, and the drop is all kinds of fun. Falling just shy of a guilty-pleasure-banger, there’s a lot more than what meets the eye to this cool, if convoluted remix.
Big Wild, Aftergold
This is the latest single on Odesza’s brand new label – and it’s definitely clear that Odesza had a say in this, particularly through the more ambient moments. Bright and catchy with a big, bouncy rhythm, this is a super fun tune. Despite the bright synths and over-used clap rhythms, it doesn’t stray into that over-bright Wave Racer territory, largely thanks to the massive brassy synths and occasionally glitchy rhythmic embellishments.
Tashka, Taken
Blending on-trend electro-pop-soul with a headier R&B melody, upcoming Sydney artist Tashka has named her new single after the Liam Neeson film of the same name. It’s a very safe track, sure, but there’s a lot to love, particularly the sensual beat, the beautiful melody and the wonderful harmonies which accompany it, as well as those breathy marimba-style echoes. Mixed and mastered by Andrei Eremin, keep an eye out for Tashka’s debut EP later this year.
Maiday, You
A piano-led pop track with a twist, there’s so much sublime vulnerability in Maiday’s vocals. As the track starts to grow and move, a great rhythm kicks in, and her voice rises with soft, yet demanding confidence. It’s one of those tracks where the devil is in the details – those little piano harmonies, the occasional synth flickers and momentary bass booms make all the difference. A really impressive track from the upcoming UK singer, keep an eye out for Maiday’s debut EP, also set for release later this year.
Eska, Boundaries
I absolutely fell in love with the power and originality of Eska’s music a few months back, so I’m really excited that she’s back in our playlist today. Boundaries is raw and simply stunning. Her vocals take centre stage – as they should – accompanied by dramatic, theatrical instrumental layers. The slightly off-beat, ever-changing timing only makes this track even more intriguing. As the melody swells up, I can’t help but feel like this would be at home in a contemporary musical. We don’t hear music like this every day – so thank you, Eska.
Jordan Bratton, Prisoner ft. Chance The Rapper
WHAT A TRACK! My pick for the week. There’s so much honesty and emotion in Bratton’s melody, and it’s so raw, with a simple backing beat and harmonies gently building behind it. “Is this just a prisoner without a cage?” he sings, delivering a powerful message about a girl who has been so hypnotised by fame and money that she’s lost her way in the world. Guest vox from Chance The Rapper (who takes the form of Chance The Singer here) add another beautiful layer to it all, and the star power will no doubt bring Bratton the attention he deserves.
Master Wolf, Never Question The Dopeness
I’m excited to introduce you to Master Wolf, an upcoming rapper from Brisbane. It’s so, so, so refreshing to hear good rap coming from Australia, and Master Wolf nails it on his debut track. Taking the lead above a chilled, gangsta-inspired beat, Master Wolf shows us what he’s got – and what’s got is a liquid flow off his liquid flow. I admit that I’m still getting used to liking Australian accents in rap, but his quick-to-flip tongue and smart (if silly at times) lyrics make this a great new track, and a bright new player in the Aus rap scene.
De La Soul, God It ft. Nas
Does a De La Soul track ft. Nas even need much of a writeup? The rap legends have joined forces for an instant classic, a refreshingly old-school track in a constantly forward-moving genre. Stripped back and bare, there’s a distinctly retro vibe and I really like it. De La Soul recently announced that they will be funding their forthcoming fifth album via Kickstarter, and while this track will not be featured, it’s a sign of the sweet, sweet tunes to come. Expect features from Damon Albarn, Little Dragon, 2 Chainz and more.