Another week and another crop of fresh music videos from some of your favourite artists and some of your new favourite artists (you just don’t know it yet). We’ve taken the time to round them all up for you to take a gander at below
Emma Louise – Illuminate
The video for Emma Lousie’s hugely successful Illuminate is a beautiful marriage between music and visuals. Under blue lights, there are dancers moving together as one to bring the words to life and the video paired with the music is so natural and seamless it is as though they were created together as one performance piece.
Coming together for their fourth video, it is a collaboration between the singer and director Dylan Duclos using choreography by Jason Winters and it is a true testament to the adage that sometimes, less is more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yBgjYOyPY0&feature=youtu.be
Bloc Party – Stunt Queen
They may have only released Hymns in January, but already the revamped Bloc Party have dropped a new single Stunt Queen. Written along with a bunch of other new material during their tour with Falls Festival earlier in the year, the song is reminiscent of their earlier work while (note the the hints of Silent Alarm, particularly at the open) with the renewed energy that comes with a fresh lineup.
The video is a classic tour diary, sticking strong with the theme and narrative that finds its footings somewhere between the sticky floors of The Forum (Melbourne) and Enmore (Sydney) Theatres.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVPulAbfAj0
AYLA – Like The Other Kids
A decked out abandoned train carriage, lush fields and daisy chains make up the sweet, sun-drenched visuals for the new video from Sunshine Coast’s AYLA. Going her own way as she frolics through the greenery, chops firewood and takes aim at beer cans with a slingshot, the video is a symbol of personal libation and a celebration of the wonderfully feeling of fulfilment that comes with forging your own path.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pd838scz2NE
The song might be called Down At The Beach, but the new video from Sydney’s Big White was filmed in an abandoned Belgian castle between shows in Paris and Amsterdam. Shooting the footage themselves, they opted to avoid a beach clip as the song is about “killing something that’s old”, letting go and finding time and space to reflect.
With the filtered, hand-shot footage, the video has a certain poignant nostalgia about it, ensuring that they achieved just that. A far cry from (and far better than) the cheesy tourist beach shots they could have gone for instead.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2p5A8vgF7M&feature=youtu.be
Dave – Six Paths
Fresh from his game-changing remix with Toronto’s incumbent king Drake, South London’s Dave has returned with the third visual accompaniment from his incredible Six Paths EP. Embodying the same stunning artistic direction, the title track video shows Dave stunting eerily in black and white with a medieval castle as his setting. Tying in with the dark, gritty, string lead beat, Dave brings his same razor sharp bars.
To keep with tradition, there’s even a cameo from collaborator AJ Tracey proving these two are bros ‘til the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuV_cyckCqY
Sampa The Great – HERoes (The Response)
After sending out a call to action in the first half of HERoes earlier this month, the incredible Sampa The Great has returned with its answer. Sporadic electronic tones open the tune, making way for a truly neck shattering African-influenced drum beat.
Sampa flexes a seriously incredible flow alongside her always constant attention to lyricism. As she raps at an incredible pace, despite it being a lyric video, it’s hard enough just to read along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1nLFBy_weU
Action Bronson – Durag vs. Headband
Everyone’s favourite Albanian rapper turned chef in Action Bronson has finally returned with the new hilariously named track Durag vs Headband. Featuring the whole Fuck That’s Delicious crew, plus producer and Ancient Aliens co-star Knxwledge.
Both the video and music are outstanding, the whole gang filling the screen with their raw tenacity over a rough boom bap beat by Knx and always on point verses by Bronson. Not to mention Big Body Bes on the hook, reminding all once again how incredible he is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWLg7_G0_go
The Avalanches – Because I’m Me
After returning oh so wonderfully at the start of this year and dropping their highly anticipated sophomore album Wildflower, The Avalanches have been casually releasing a number of music videos from the project over the last few months. Obviously, they’ve saved the best until now though, with the video for Because I’m Me.
This heartstring-plucking love tale follows a young kid in the subway trying to seduce the girl behind the ticket desk. What results is an incredible sing and dance video which is simply put, brilliantly acted, choreographed and scripted. It’s pretty much the definition of feel-good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu0KsZ_MVBc
YG – One Time Comin’
A possible glimpse into an upcoming project, YG’s One Time Comin’ continues with the police brutality themes which are evident throughout much of his music.
Shots of YG evading the police by car are paired with shocking first person footage of an innocent man frantically on the run, who is inevitably shot for no reason. It’s a powerful video with a similarly intense track below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nTCUI5reJw
I AM D – Seven Deuce
Brisbane’s most veracious emcee, I AM D, has come a long way since his 90s inspired boom bap tracks early in his career. After releasing a range of new and fresh, yet similarly dark anthems over the last few months, the D has now returned with yet another straight to the point track in Seven Deuce.
Paired with bold cinematography, this track is nothing short of fire. There’s no sugarcoated hooks to be found here either, just three minutes of the ill-est verses around, demonstrating I AM D’s skill brilliantly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWomlPOS73o
twelveAM – On My Own
One of Melbourne’s latest rising stars in twelveAM has released the video to his catchy heartfelt tune, On My Own. The track leads his debut EP, demonstrating briefly his ear for brilliant hooks, alongside his unique melodic flow and deep tone, painting a vivid picture as he longs for a lover.
No doubt he’ll be one to watch in the months to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po-RQD36–M&feature=youtu.be
Johnossi – Air Is Free
One of Sweden’s largest bands, the platinum selling Johnossi, have returned with yet another rock scorcher to get you grooving. Backed by harsh guitar riffs, bopping bass lines, marching drums and incredible, powerhouse vocals, Air Is Free follows a young nomad as he yearns for independence and freedom.
The result is a truly moving journey, with a soundtrack that is oh so sweet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQDTG-caCOs
High Klassified – Gold feat. Mick Jenkins
One of Montreal’s finest upcoming producers, High Klassified has blessed us with a vocal collaboration with a similarly incredible artist in Chicago lyrical legend Mick Jenkins. With its smooth, jazzy and booming beat, we see its producer starring in a spooky love story.
Just in time for the Halloween period, the surrealistic clip is fit with creepy bunnies, eerie dolls and clowns, not to mention the sheer insanity of the narrative. Definitely a see it to believe it type video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzsaHjE27zo
Bad//Dreems – Mob Rule
After recently wrapping up their tour with Sydney rockers DMA’s, Adelaide kings Bad//Dreems have followed this up with the release of an incredible new track Mob Rule.
This rough and tough anthem sees the lads reflecting on Australia’s own culture, and what better way that to piece the whole track together with a range of hazy, 80s TV excerpts and clips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmsffFCA4fQ
Image: Pitchfork
In our interview with Emma Louise, she revealed how she feels it is important to put as much honesty into her music as possible. You can quickly hear that after just a couple of songs of her new album Supercry. Stop and let her teach you a few things about keeping it real and telling people exactly how you feel.
The opening of All We Ask Is Time provides a preview for exactly what you’re going to get from the rest of the album; a stunningly beautiful melody. Though it is a short introduction to Supercry, the simple melody showcases her light voice that sounds as sweet as the chime of a small bell.
As one of the singles ahead of the album, Talk Baby Talk is catchy, a welcome earworm melody. The slow, mellow tone is set by the light crashing of the percussion that keeps the beat constant. She sings as if she is trying to save a relationship, using lyrics like, “oh why can’t we just talk about it?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS_IsefSVkE
The deep and interesting sounds of Underflow coupled with her calm voice do their best to sooth any stress or negative energy that may be distracting your focus. The beautiful story of saying goodbye to a doomed long-distance relationship is brought to life. “I put my white flag in the wind to let my love know I’m giving up,” she sings the words of defeat. Everything Will Be Fine starts with the same soothing melody that sounds like a bed of water. As soon we get to the chorus, however, an uneasy electric haze takes over. Although the lyrics repeat the words, “everything will be fine”, the sound of the music portrays a different message. This was a cool touch when you think about the feelings of worry and unsureness that she is portraying here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-8slnFdqc4
Although the entire album deals with a number of issues that are close to the heart, it’s the final two songs that will raise the need for a tissue box within arm’s reach.
Grace has an amazing piano melody that leads on to some of the most heart-warming lyrics I’ve ever heard. Her angelic voice sings about a woman who seems to mean a lot to her and has been there for her in times of need. “She is my source of grace/ and is everywhere,” are among the gorgeous words that are strung together to tell this beautiful story. It made me think of all the amazing women I’ve had in my life and how much I appreciate their presence in my world.
Although I enjoyed the atmosphere of all the track in this album, the themes used in the final song I Thought I Was A Ship resonated with me the most. The sweet piano returns, given us a light and calming atmosphere. Then, you hear the heartbreaking lyrics. “I thought I was a ship too heavy on the water/ so I threw you overboard.” It makes you remember that it is just as hard to break up with someone and see them move on as it is to be the one that is left broken-hearted.
The realness of the emotion certainly comes through as you travel throughout the full album. If you want to hear something organic and honest, Supercry is worth a few listens, in full.
The only thing better would be hearing them live, which you can do in later on in the year during her tour.
Supercry is available now.
Image: The Courier Mail
It is many people’s first instinct to hide their pain when they’re having a tough time. With the forthcoming release of her new album Supercry, Emma Louise has shown us a healthier way of coping with struggles. “Everything’s new and changing for the first time and you’re just like ‘Shit, everything that I thought was true, isn’t.’”
Her relationship with music started with something as simple as borrowing a guitar from a friend and trying out a few covers. It wasn’t until she started writing her own songs that her musical journey truly began. She was only 16 years old when she began performing in front of other people. “I started playing gigs around Cairns with this musician from Cairns called Terry Doyle and he kind of mentored me and was like ‘Hey man, you can do this for reals!’ And that kind of changed everything for me.”
She continued, “Before I was working with people on the album, before the struggle took off and stuff, it was always just me and the guitar. I never had any of these doubts because it was just so innocent.”
After the release of her first album VS Heart VS Heart, however, something changed. Emma’s self-confidence had dwindled and the people that surrounded her weren’t as supportive as they should have been. A big part of her recovery was taking a break from music. “I did a lot of other things and then came back to music and just came back with a new state of mind.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-8slnFdqc4
She saw writing music as her way to portraying those feelings she had during that difficult time in a raw and honest way.
“I think that’s healing, for me anyway,” she says. “Just to be like, if I’m feeling pain, to be able to justify that pain by writing about it in the most honest form. For me, that’s really rewarding.”
As the songs came to her, she began to create what was to be her second album. “It was all a pretty natural process, like I wasn’t writing for an album,” she said. “I didn’t know when or if I was going to do an album again.” The raw and honest words came before the sweet, stunning melody that sooth the heart as they float through your headphones. “In the studio, we added a lot of the melodies and stuff. They kind of all fell into place.”
She says, however, she doesn’t like to think about the melodies too much. For her, it’s more about the lyrics and the emotions they convey. “I try to write the lyrics that are the most honest and true to me, and then that’s what makes the songs that get on the album. That’s what I resonate with the most.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZnOLAuwC3o
Emma’s creative talents don’t stop there. She also likes to paint and design outfits. “I wouldn’t really classify myself as a painter or a designer because I haven’t done the hard yards, but with music I have really given it everything. My whole life has just been music and these other things are just things I do on the side, but saying that, I love painting and I want to do it more.”
She designed the cover art for Supercry, which you can see below. The story behind the colourful piece begins with her finding a simple box of acrylic paints on the side of a road. After a breakup, the image was born. “A year and a bit later, I was figuring out what I wanted to do for the album cover and that painting came to mind, and it was just crazy what that mean now and then.”
As for her interest in fashion, she says just at the beginning stages of designing at the moment, and has designed a lot of her own outfits. For those of you who are going to Splendour In The Grass this year, you’re going to have the opportunity to see something she is currently working on with a tailor. “I really like this new suit that I made. It’s for Splendour, actually!”
After Splendour in the Grass at the end of July, Emma will be setting her sights on a newly announced headline tour, kicking off in October. She also plans to start working on her next album, so hopefully fans can look forward to even more wonderful new music come the end of of 2016.
With so much ahead for her, we can hardly wait to see what the future holds for Emma and the beautiful symbols of pure creativity she will release into the world.
Stay tuned for Supercry, which will be released this week on July 15.
Check out her tour dates below. Find out where you can get tickets here:
Fri, Oct 7th: The Workers Club, Geelong
Sat, Oct 8th: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thu, Oct 13th: Street Theatre, Canberra
Fri, Oct 14th: Uni Bar, Woolloongong
Sat, Oct 15th: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Thu, Oct 20th: Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Fri, Oct 21st: Sol Bar, Maroochydore
Sat, Oct 22nd: The Triffid, Brisbane
Thu, Oct 27th: Adelaide Uni, Adelaide
Fri, Oct 28th: Fly By Night, Fremantle
Sat, Oct 29th: Capitol, Perth
Sun, Oct 30th: Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
Fri, Nov 4th: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Image: The Age
Multi-talented songstress Emma Louise is just a few days shy of releasing her sophomore album Supercry, the long-awaited follow-up to her hugely acclaimed debut record vs Head vs Heart. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Emma will be taking Supercry out on a massive 13-date national tour kicking off this Spring.
With the first three singles from Supercry: Underflow, Talk Baby Talk and West End Kids already being released to a resoundingly warm reception, the Supercry tour looks to see Emma Louise playing a mix of gorgeous hits from her past as well as her brand new material continuing its stellar run in a live environment.
That run has included stops at this year’s Groovin’ The Moo festival as well as a huge guest spot supporting Sam Smith on his Australian tour last year and an upcoming set at this year’s enormous Splendour In The Grass before heading out on her headlining tour. Emma Louise graces the stage like few other artists, commanding audiences with her stunning voice and providing a truly mesmerising live experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffuKBiyruTU
If you’d like to be a part of the next chapter of Emma Louise’s skyrocketing career, presale tickets for Frontier members go on sale next Tuesday at 2pm before the general public at 10am on Thursday. You’ll have to get in quick, as these are going to sell like hotcakes. Check the full list of dates below and ticket details and be found here.
Emma Louise Supercry tour dates:
Fri, Oct 7th: The Workers Club, Geelong
Sat, Oct 8th: Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thu, Oct 13th: Street Theatre, Canberra
Fri, Oct 14th: Uni Bar, Woolloongong
Sat, Oct 15th: Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
Thu, Oct 20th: Miami Marketta, Gold Coast
Fri, Oct 21st: Sol Bar, Maroochydore
Sat, Oct 22nd: The Triffid, Brisbane
Thu, Oct 27th: Adelaide Uni, Adelaide
Fri, Oct 28th: Fly By Night, Fremantle
Sat, Oct 29th: Capitol, Perth
Sun, Oct 30th: Prince Of Wales, Bunbury
Fri, Nov 4th: Metro Theatre, Sydney
Supercry is out this Friday July 15th via Liberation Music.
Another week, another mountain of amazing new music. While we try to cover as much as possible throughout the week, there’s always a few tracks that slip through the cracks – and that’s where your weekly Friday playlists come in. Here are the top ten tracks we may have missed earlier on this week for you to enjoy. You can check out all the other new music we’ve been loving over at our singles and playlists pages.
- Lanks, Bitter Leaf
Melbourne artist Lanks has returned with a sensual new slice of slinky electronica. Dabbling in a more playful rhythm across all layers, the soulful sound, and really nicely arranged lyrics, draw influence from R&B and electro-soul. Also, I love the multi-layered vocal phrases that give off an acapella feel. This might be my favourite Lanks track to date. - Strict Face, Murderer (ft. K-Major)
This is a really cool new track out of Nina Las Vegas’ label NLV. The track has a really smooth feel to it overall, in spite of the heavy, glitchy beat. K-Major’s vocals are a perfect addition, adding a strange kind of delicacy to the melodic synths and understated rhythm. For a track called Murderer, it sure is dreamy. - Mild High Club, Homage
It goes without saying that pretty much anything to come from Stones Throw is alright in my book. With its laid back melodies and off-kilter keys, this feels like a really twisted take on a classic mid-60s pop tune. It feels like it’s being played at the wrong frequency on a record player, kind of melting the corners and warping the synths. - Stwo, Out At Night (ft. A Chal)
Stwo has been on my radar for a long time now, and it’s always great to hear new sounds. This track similarly mixes sensual, hip-hop and R&B-tinged male vocals with really excellent, understated production. The rhythm and percussion work in particular stand out to me on this one, a great contrast to the spritely instrumental layers. - GL, Hallucinate
The Melbourne synth-pop duo have returned this week with new track Hallucinate. I’m usually no fan of disco, but GL have always impressed me. The vocals have a real Little Dragon vibe to it, and that baby-makin’ bass is all kinds of right. I love that this track can have a retro feel to it, without the overly intentional nostalgia befallen to many of their contemporaries. - Emma Louise, West End Kids
Man, do I love Emma Louise. Every single track she’s released of late has made me want to cry and sing at the same time. I believe this song is about the west end in Brisbane, and while I can’t specifically relate to this, the atmosphere is universal and immediate. It rings of sentiment and nostalgia, of reminiscing on days past, for better or for worse. I’m aware that this is a strange comparison, but the verses and atmosphere really reminded me of the melody on Seekae’s Another. - Sannhet, Short Life
This week’s Adult Swim Single comes from Sannhet, who admittedly I somehow wasn’t aware of up til now, but man am I grateful for the discovery. Experimental, instrumental metal is certainly not for everyone, but it’s been a long time affair for myself. Like Deafheaven or Pelican, or even Red Sparowes to a lesser extent, the sweeping phrases and wide, provocative chords, coupled with frantic drums and ear-splitting toplines, bring you along for one wild, wild ride. This might be my favourite Adult Swim single of the season so far, and I’ve just discovered my new favourite post-metal band. - Josué, Jupiter
Moving on from there comes a gorgeous soul/R&B offering from Australian artist Josué. Taking cues from Thundercat as much as D’Angelo, this is a spacey, sensual piece, with honeyed melodies, an understated beat, late-night vibes and a lush atmosphere overall. if you happen to be reading this in Melbourne, catch the man in action at the Evelyn Hotel this Sunday 26th.
Image: Sannhet/Adult Swim
Already working overtime on the airwaves is the new single from Brisbane-via-Cairns siren Emma Louise, Talk Baby Talk. With her popularity already huge off the back of her sensational debut album Vs Head Vs Heart in 2013, the singer has since seen her star rise even higher after huge collaborations with the likes of Flight Facilities and, at the tail-end of last year, the release of the stunning Underflow. Coming in at 173 in the (almost) Hottest 100 this year, it was the first taste from her upcoming sophomore record set to be released later this year.
She has since followed it up with her second single and has overnight released its accompanying video. You can watch it below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS_IsefSVkE
Say what you will about Emma Louise but her commitment to making a fantastic music video is unquestionable (her last video for Underflow resulted in her having to shave her entire head after covering her hair in plaster that wouldn’t come off).
The track itself is gorgeous. Dark and smoky, a palpable atmosphere built up throughout and giving way to a wonderfully layered climax with the deliberate backbeat, the rousing production (some fantastic work from Pascal Gabriel, a producer who has worked with the likes of Goldfrapp and Ladyhawke before) and Emma Louise’s own enchanting voice dancing together in exhilarating fashion.
The video captures an ongoing struggle between a turbulent pair of lovers, turning positively macabre towards the end. Shot by Dylan Dudos (who has previously collaborated with Emma Louise on the Underflow video), it’s strikingly shot and pairs the visual violence and turmoil perfectly with the roiling and bubbling sound of Talk Baby Talk. (Also, you just know Emma Louise had all the fun trashing the shit out of that hotel room).
You’re in luck if you’re itching to catch Emma Louise live as well. She’s all set to go around regional Australia as part of this year’s mammoth Groovin’ The Moo lineup. Dates are below and tickets are available at http://www.moshtix.com.au/v2/groovin-the-moo.
In the meantime, we’re fiending hard for what else Emma Louise has up her sleeve in 2016.
Groovin’ The Moo 2016 dates and locations:
Sat, Apr 23rd: Maitland, NSW
Sun, Apr 24th: Canberra, ACT
Sat, Apr 30th: Bendigo, VIC
Sun, May 1st: Townsville, QLD
Sat, May 7th: Bunbury, WA
This week, as with every week, the competition has been fierce when it comes to new releases. Constantly spoiled for choice, below are ten of the best songs that have been released over the past seven days, and once again there is something for everyone.
My city, Brisbane, features heavily in this one, with SIX entries into the playlist. I swear it wasn’t intentional, but it’s a great coincidence considering Young Franco, Emma Louise, Golden Vessel, Machine Age, White Wash and Good Boy are all exciting acts in their own rights, and all brought their A-games for their latest releases. In between them, we’ve got some UK talent in Jodie Abacus which has been reworked by the amazing Armand Van Helden, another fantastic remix of Shura‘s Touch by Four Tet, a fantastic collaboration from German music makers Moglii & Novaa and of course, the incredible Boys Noize to round things out. Enjoy!
Jodie Abacus, Hot Kitchen (Armand Van Helden Remix)
Jodie Abacus’ Hot Kitchen has been on high rotation since it’s release last year, but the news that the one and only Armand Van Helden had been locked in for a remix was almost too much. The results are unsurprisingly ridiculously good, with Van Helden’s reputation preceding him. Sounding like Jodie Abacus suddenly became a member of Duck Sauce (remember that song?) which, funnily enough, Van Helden was one half of, the funk is amped right up to breaking point, and Van Helden’s groovy synths provide a warm bed for Abacus’ soulful vocals. It’s a song made for dancefloors, and is more than enough to rival the original in terms of good vibes.
Young Franco, Drop Your Love (Ft. DiRTY RADiO)
Brisbane producer Young Franco takes his time with his releases, but it’s okay because they’re always worth it. Drop Your Love is the latest release from the young gun, and it continues along in the direction he was heading in with last year’s Don’t U Want Me. It might sound a little too similar at times to his previous single, but it’s a tight disco funk track nonetheless, with some liberating good vibes to bring it home. Teaming up with DiRTY RADiO for vocals, we have our suspicions things are just getting warmed up for Young Franco, and we can’t wait to see where he goes next. This single also comes alongside the announcement he has linked up with a new crew by the name of Of Leisure, which you can learn all about from their hilarious introductory video. Big things to come!
Emma Louise, Talk Baby Talk
Emma Louise has one of the best voices in Australian music, and her new material shows off her incredible set of pipes beautifully. Talk Baby Talk comes after last year’s sensational comeback single, Underflow which actually got the remix treatment from none other than Little Dragon. This latest single is a seductive number, with thick synths, trudging beats and a warm bed of ambient sounds that provide the perfect backdrop for Emma Louise’s vocals. It’s rich in emotion, dripping in vulnerability and frustration, and once again shows her in all her glory. We can’t wait to hear what comes next!
White Wash, Time
White Wash is the electronic persona of Brisbane music maker Connor Brooker. He’s also in a band called Bugs, and a surf rock band called Pro Vita, as well as probably a bunch of other things that we can’t keep track of. However, we’re not talking about that, we’re talking about White Wash and his new track, Time. Sounding like a combination of Phoenix and Gypsy & The Cat, Time sounds like it was taken straight out of the indie-electro boom of the late 00’s and thrust into 2016’s production styles. It’s nostalgic, catchy as hell and a whole lot of fun. Brooker, whilst a very clearly talented man, doesn’t ever take himself too seriously in his many projects, and I think this is the key to his success.
Good Boy, No Love For Back Home
Fresh from opening up the Brisbane leg of Laneway festival this year, Good Boy are wasting no time capitalising on this momentum, and have shared another great new track to add to their catalogue. Titled No Love For Back Home, the boys are getting better at just about every element of their sound, and I just can’t get enough of it. The intricate little intro quickly changing into a loud, rock’n’roll growl, the unique vocals that borrow influence from the likes of Mac DeMarco among others, and the groovy breakdowns that intersperse the track throughout, No Love For Back Home is their best single yet, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they get invited to play more and more festivals throughout the year by the sounds of this! GREAT boys more like it!
Shura, Touch (Four Tet Remix)
I have to admit that I haven’t been entirely sold on Shura just yet, but this remix is enough to sway me. The one and only Four Tet shared this bad boy only last night, and it’s now sitting at a cool 34.7K plays in just 15 hours (at the time of writing). Not. Bloody. Bad. It makes sense though, thanks to the stunningly lush rework that he’s given. Working in beautiful harmony with Shura’s delicate voice, Four Tet always seems to know what’s best, and Touch is yet another shining example of this. It’s a track that just makes you feel good from the inside out, with the sped-up vocals, funky bass line and garage beats. Her exposing, vulnerable lyrics still maintain that sensitive side, but they’ve found a new home on a late night dancefloor, and that is something we are very okay with!
Golden Vessel, Do You Think About Me (Ft. MTNS)
Brisbane is bringing the goods this week, with two more of the River City’s finest teaming up for a new track. Titled Do You Think About Me, Golden Vessel has joined forces with MTNS for his first release in a fair while, but proving that it was definitely worth the wait. If you look on his Instagram, the kid is constantly in the studio, and it seems his hardwork is now paying off. Preferring to play with his own styles instead of sticking to the mainstream styles of Australian dance music, Golden Vessel’s production gets better and better with each release, and Do You Think About Me is his best so far. MTNS provides some almost RnB vocals over GV’s forward thinking future-electro beats, which are lush in the way his synths swirl and bloom over the shifting drums. Do You Think About Me is a really great song and an even more exciting step further for both artists, but especially Golden Vessel. Keep your eyes peeled for this guy!
Machine Age, Don’t Look
This song technically came out last week, but it kind of counts for this week if I only heard it on Monday. Machine Age is new on the scene in the scheme of things, but is already showing prowess and raw talent beyond his relatively short time. Taking influence from the likes of Seekae, Machine Age works dark, haunting electronica into Don’t Look, a track that sticks with you from the first listen. Pulling out all the stops, it’s rich and vibrant whilst still dreary (in the best possible way) and forlorn, playing with dark, industrial synths and his dramatic vocals. Hold tight for around the 3:30 mark, where things get even bigger – it can almost bring you to your knees.
Moglii & Novaa, Down Under
German based musicians Moglii and Novaa have come together to release a 5-track collaborative EP titled Down Under, and this week they have shared the first of these. Sharing the same name as the EP, the pair are a match made in musical heaven, and this track is as harmonious as they come. Vibing off each other perfectly, Down Under is a glitchy but serene, smooth but stuttering tune that feels almost alive in the way it quickly deviates when you least expect it. With its warbling bass, future bass break downs, serene vocal harmonies and more, every time you listen to this one, you hear something you hadn’t before. It’s the musical gift that keeps on giving, and what it is giving is pretty fucking good. Keep your ears pricked for the next four tracks, which will hopefully be just as great as this one.
Boys Noize, Euphoria
Any week that Boys Noize releases new music is a good week in my books. The legendary techno wizard’s reputation precedes him, and I can credit him for absolutely blowing my mind at FOMO festival earlier this year during his Australian tour. Euphoria is just hours old, but is well on it’s way to becoming one of this week’s, maybe even this month’s, most played tracks. The simple computerized, acid house beat works so well with featured artist Remy Banks, who only says three words for the entire track- “Inhale, Exhale, Euphoria“. It’s a glitchy trip you can’t help but getting lost in, and I think Banks himself summed it up best when he said of making music with Boys Noize, “From the moment I walked in the studio, I knew something dope was going to be made.” Dope indeed.
If two is better than one, eleven is definitely better than ten and such is the case for your beloved weekly playlist of top songs. Sure, one came out last week (looking at you, Cub Sport) but we can’t help that it was so good it still deserved a spot in this week’s cut as well!
We’ve got a lot of local flavours in this week’s list, with three acts hailing from Brisbane – the aforementioned Cub Sport as well as Emma Louise (who was remixed by Little Dragon) and Feki (who remixes Anna Of The North). We’ve also got some surf-psych jams from WA (Gunns), a couple of Melbourne acts (Hoodlem and Private Life) as well as Sydney’s Tigertown. Not to mention some international takes like a Louie Lastic remix of Kelela featuring GoldLink, some Bishop Nehru, a collab between Katy B and Kaytranada and not to mention a lit remix of Tory Lanez by Shlohmo and we have once again got you covered with the top songs you should have heard this week!
Gunns, Who’s Gonna Be Your Dog
WA darlings Gunns have a lot to be happy about right now. They’re about to join Albert Hammond Jr on tour (yes, the guitarist from The Strokes), they’re releasing their debut EP on February 12th AND it’s on the same label as a few fellow Western Australians like POND and that tiny band called Tame Impala. They’ve also shared a brand new single this week, titled Who’s Gonna Be Your Dog. Sounding like an Aussie version of Temples in the best possible way, this dreamy psych-surf band are bound for great things, and this song once again proves it.
Kelela, Rewind (Louie Lastic Remix ft. GoldLink)
Kelela was just in the country for a mindblowing whirlwind mini tour, and GoldLink is just about to touch down for Laneway. Although they didn’t cross paths in the literal sense, they certainly have in the sonic sense with this latest release. Jumping on a guest verse for producer Louie Lastic, the two have spun Kelela’s huge single Rewind into an old-school jam, complete with upbeat, bubbling synths, skittering beats, and a groove that just won’t fucking quit. It’s a total jam.
Anna Of The North, The Dreamer (Feki Remix)
Brisbane producer Feki has once again shown he really means business, and has remixed the hell out of Anna Of The North’s The Dreamer. We’ve had our eye on him for a while and each and every time he releases something, he sucks us in even more with his forward thinking, future-RnB production. He capitalises on the sad vibes and hones in on it, amping up the dark vibes and heaping on the emotion. Anna Of The North said it best herself when she told Nylon, “The Dreamer is already a sad song, but I like that Feki’s remix is darker. He makes it ok to cry at the club.” Damn straight.
Hoodlem, Kintsugi
Melbourne duo Hoodlem blew me away when I stumbled upon them at last year’s BIGSOUND in Brisbane, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Thankfully, they’ve finally released some new music this week, which earned them a spot in this playlist instantly. The duo are a powerhouse in a live setting, and have been bringing their A-game with each release since they dropped their tremendous single Through last year. Now they’re gearing up for the release of a new EP coming in March and they’re sounding better than ever. Kinstugi is the first taste of that record, and its glitchy, soulful vibes with their typically fantastic production skills makes for a very exciting release indeed.
Tigertown, Lonely Cities
Tigertown have an uncanny knack of making you think you’re listening to an unassuming indie track, but then catching you by surprise and blowing you totally out of the water with how great they sound. It’s a risky move but they always seem to pull it off, so why the hell not? The band return with their second single of the year, Lonely Cities, and it’s huge. Although the lyrics aren’t exactly celebrating the feeling of being lonely, they’ve juxtaposed them with some totally liberating, joyous and borderline euphoric singalongs, guitar melodies and sharp drums. If only all loneliness felt this good!
Bishop Nehru, Forever And A Day
You might know Bishop Nehru from his feature spot on Flight Facilities‘ excellent debut album, Down To Earth, on the track Why Do You Feel, but it is about time everyone knew him for his capabilities on his own as well. This song is a sultry, inviting, groovy number with some fierce verses and Nehru’s easy flow, he talks about his rise to fame and how his drive keeps him go. He doesn’t sound like he’s quitting anytime soon judging from this track, and that is some very good news for Nehru fans new, old and those still to come. It’s only up from here!
Katy B x Kaytranada, Honey
Anything that Kaytranada lends his hand to has a 99.99% chance of being amazing, and this latest track is no exception. Working with Katy B, this is a smoky and smooth number that shows B’s impeccable vocals and Kaytranada’s flawless-as-ever production. It’s the first taste from her forthcoming Honey LP (which has a tracklist that features everyone from Craig David, Major Lazer, Four Tet, Floating Points and more), and it’s impressive to say the least. It’s got a groove that is perfect for the bedroom, and Katy B’s sexy hook doesn’t go too bad either for the bedroom vibes. Thank us later.
Tory Lanez, Say It (Shlohmo Remix)
There was a time where Shlohmo was making some of the most experimental music of his career, and the days of him working with Jeremih felt like a bygone era. However, this latest remix is Shlohmo back to his RnB remixing best, as he takes Tory Lanez’ Say It, and makes it fucking lit. It’s still got his trademark dark sounds, and has an air of mystery about it, but it’s also got some token hip-hop drums, crashing cymbals, trap leanings and more to keep it dance-y and fun. Is this a sign Shlohmo is heading back towards his hip-hop roots?
Private Life, Dragon
Melbourne indie two-piece Private Life are fighting the good fight to make “pop” not such a dirty word anymore, and their latest track, Dragon is a perfect example of how well it can be done. Showcasing some huge vocals, crashing cymbals, a hook that won’t quit and some unpredictable production courtesy of Nicolas Lam (from Red Bull Music Academy), Private Life sounds like Australia’s answer to CHVRCHES with one less member and one hell of a knack for good songs. Dragon is explosive yet gentle, uplifting yet fragile, and seriously, SERIOUSLY impressive. We’re expecting big things from these guys.
Emma Louise, Underflow (Little Dragon Remix)
I mean, if you are going to get anyone to remix your comeback single, surely Little Dragon are pretty high up on the list of desired artists to do so. Brisbane artist Emma Louise has achieved just that, with the Swedish band stepping up for rework duties this week on her track Underflow. It was already an absolutely stunning single in its own right, so it’s only fitting that it gets an equally stunning remix, and it sounds like it was in pretty safe hands with Little Dragon. A racing almost-heartbeat like thump keeps the track running along as more and more is carefully poured into the mix. Splashy cymbals, vocal loops and subtle synths carry it along as Emma Louise’s vulnerable original vocals remain in tact. This marks the first remix in four years for the band, so if that alone doesn’t tell there is something great about this track, we don’t know what will.
Cub Sport, I Can’t Save You
Brisbane band Cub Sport fell off the grid for a while there, but towards the end of 2015 it was confirmed that their absence was indeed intentional as they returned to the fray with the release of Only Friend. Back on form, the band have now shared another brilliant track titled I Can’t Save You – another exciting cut from their forthcoming album, This Is Our Vice. A glimmering exercise in synth-driven indie-pop, Cub Sport are wasting no time in reminding us who they are, and keeping our excitement levels at worryingly high levels in the lead up to This Is Our Vice‘s March 4th release.
Image of Hoodlem via Facebook
Although she was responsible for one of 2011’s biggest tracks in the form of Jungle, things have been relatively quiet for Brisbane-via-Cairns artist Emma Louise. Admittedly, she did feature on another huge track last year with Flight Facilities‘ Two Bodies, but in regards to solo stuff, things have been left pretty open ended.
That is, of course, until now. Just this week, Emma Louise has found herself back in everyone’s ears thanks to the silky and soft new lullaby, Underflow. She has also signed to Liberation, an imprint of the Mushroom group. The track is stunning, gentle, and well worth the wait. Her unique voice has the ability to stop you dead in your tracks, and it’s on full display here.
The artist herself said of the track, “I wrote Underflow about that feeling that swells up inside of you when you know that things in your life are about to change. It’s like an undercurrent that at first you ignore, and it builds and builds until you know you need to make a decision, albeit hard and scary at the time. Then the change comes, and everything is new and different.” Considering just how exciting and thrilling this track is, we can’t help but feel she got another wave of this when she actually released the track.
Possessing on the most phenomenal voices in the game, as well as outstanding songwriting abilities, Emma Louise is one of the most sensational artists to come out of Australia in a long, long time. You can actually catch her live in action around the country supporting Sam Smith on his national tour. There is also talk of a new album to come, so keep your ears and eyes peeled for that release too. Check the dates below for the Sam Smith tour and don’t delay on the remaining tickets!
Sam Smith Australian tour dates
Supported by Emma Louise
Tickets here
Sat 28 Nov
Perth Arena | Perth, WA | (All Ages)
Tue 01 Dec
Entertainment Centre | Adelaide, SA | (All Ages)
Fri 04 Dec
Qantas Credit Union Arena | Sydney, NSW | (All Ages)
Sat 05 Dec
Qantas Credit Union Arena | Sydney, NSW | (All Ages)
Tue 08 Dec
Rod Laver Arena | Melbourne, VIC | (All Ages)
Wed 09 Dec
Rod Laver Arena | Melbourne, VIC | (All Ages)
Sat 12 Dec
Entertainment Centre | Brisbane, QLD | (All Ages)
With recent cuts to funding in the Australian arts, it is harder than ever for Aussie musicians to get a break in an increasingly challenging market. Taking matters into their own hands, the guys over at The Seed Fund are doing the best they can to keep the dream alive. As a music-focused not-for-profit organisation, they strive to give artists the tools and support they need to become self-sustaining through grants, workshops, partnerships and initiatives.
Now in it’s eleventh year of existence, The Seed are turning to the people to help them in their quest. On Monday October 12th, they are holding their first official fundraiser including a star studded event at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre. The event features a dazzling smorgasbord of Australian talent, including Missy Higgins, San Cisco, Emma Louise, Paul Kelly and John Butler in intimate acoustic sets hosted by Triple J’s Zan Rowe! You can get your tickets now, with all proceeds going back into the fund.
Alongside the event, there will be a month long Pozible campaign kicking off on September 1st. If you have ever wanted to score a personal live performance from the likes of Harry Angus (Cat Empire), Marlon Williams, Skipping Girl Vinegar, Mama Kin or Ruby Boots now is your chance. You can also nab passes to St Jerome’s Laneway Festival, mentoring sessions with industry heavyweights, and a whole lot of other cool stuff from Gotye, Temper Trap and Clare Bowditch to name a few. That’s if just giving for the sake of supporting our artists isn’t enough. What more excuse do you need? Give them your money. All your money!