Crooked Colours, Another Way

One of the best electronic acts in Australia right now, Crooked Colours have hit the nail on the head once again, with the fresh new video for their single Another Way. The clip is eerie and interesting – starring model Amy Finlayson, the subject matter explores a Japanese ‘suicide forest,’ inspired by this documentary on Vice. Absolutely beautiful production values, this is really, really cool to watch – oh, and the song’s fucking sick too.

Flower Drums, End II End

Upcoming Perth dudes Flower Drums recently released the soulful End II End, and now we’ve got an equally captivating, emotional clip to go along with it. The video tells a beautiful, sad story, with stunning landscape shots intertwined with scenes of a house party, live music and so on.

Peter Bibby, No More Sleepovers

Most people will think this is weird considering my normal musical taste, but I’m a really huge fan of Peter Bibby – and had a pleasure breaking bread with him earlier this year. He’s released the brand new video clip for No More Sleepovers. It’s weird and wacky in the best possible way, starring a lovelorn Bibby singing karaoke alone on stage, and some very weird, slightly disturbing green screen voodoo doll action.

King Los, War

And now for something completely different. Introducing Baltimore’s King Los, a rising hip hop star who will be releasing his new album God, Money, War in June this year. This is the video clip for his recent single, War ft. Marsha Ambrosius – it was directed by Jerome D, who also directed the clips for Kendrick Lamar’s Poetic Justice and Swimming Pools. It’s cool, as you might expect. Check it out right here.

This week, somehow we’ve opted for an Australian heavy list just by coincidence, highlighting just how strong our homegrown talent continues to be. We’ve got a fresh disco track from Total Giovanni, a beautiful soundscape from Twin Caverns, psyched out pop from Morning Harvey, a slow burner from Flower Drums as well as electro jams from Elizabeth Rose and Japanese Wallpaper. Hockey Dad‘s new track is also in there, as well as new Danish duo The Wands, and some new Jamie xx and Le1f to finish things off. This is probably one of my favourite playlists yet!

1. Total Giovanni – Paradise

I cannot rave enough about this Melbourne band. Bringing disco back in the sexiest way possible, this is their third single in which they have again absolutely killed it. No surprises there, this six minute track is an irresistible disco number makes my heart melt.

2. Twin Caverns – Pyramid

Sydney duo Twin Caverns are experts in creating dreamy soundscapes I love getting lost in. Their latest track Pyramid is one of their dreamiest yet, with a rolling, expansive beats, Lou Millar’s honey voice and a searing guitar solo that I can’t get enough of.

3. Morning Harvey – Smith Street Swap Meet

Brisbane boys Morning Harvey just scored a new manager (Rock Chazan who is also responsible for The Church and Emma Louise) as well as signing to bookers Select Music, so it’s safe to say things are really heating up for them. What better way to celebrate than to release Smith Street Swap Meet – a brilliant exercise in tripped out nostalgic alt-pop, with frontman Spencer White leading the charge with his one of a kind vocals.

4. Elizabeth Rose – Another Earth

Making the wait between releases completely worth it, it seems Elizabeth Rose has been biding her time before releasing her latest track, Another Earth. Teaming up with Chrome Sparks, the pair are a match made in heaven.

5. Japanese Wallpaper ft. Airling – Forces

Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Japanese Wallpaper continues his run of outstanding electronica with the release of Forces. Joining forces (couldn’t help myself) with Airling, this track is packed with intensity, highlighting just how talented and exciting both artists are.

6. Flower Drums – End II End

Perth darlings Flower Drums are definitely one of the more exciting acts coming out of the West. This slow burner props darker, sparse beats against pop styled vocals to make a beautiful, gentle track still brimming with emotion.

7. Hockey Dad – Can’t Have Them

Wollongong duo Hockey Dad just wrapped up a national tour with DZ Deathrays and Bass Drum of Death, but are showing no signs of slowing down! Laid back yet upbeat, Can’t Have Them is probably my favourite of their released singles, and has got me all kinds of excited for what is still to come!

8. The Wands– She’s Electric

Danish duo The Wands are making psych even cooler than it already was with their track, She’s Electric. They’ve also received a nod from NME so it isn’t just us that’s got us hyped up for more music from the pair. Their album is dropping May 1, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked for more blissed out psychedelia.

9. Le1f – Ooh (Truffle Butter)

I love Le1f, so hearing new tracks of his makes me one happy lady indeed. Delivering his unique rhymes over a Nicki Minaj Drake/Weezy featuring number is an ambitious move from the New York rapper, but one that has seriously paid off. FIRE.

10. Jamie xx ft Romy Madley Croft – Loud Places

Words cannot describe how excited I am for Jamie xx‘s debut album (that’s apparently dropping very soon), and his penchant for casually dropping tracks like it ain’t no thing is driving me crazy. This is one of the more beautiful songs released this year in my opinion, and recruiting fellow bandmate Romy from The xx for vocal duties makes it all the more special. It’s just so lovely.

This week’s playlist was particularly hard because we skipped last week, so we’ve had to smash the best of TWO weeks together into one playlist. I’d go so far as to say this is my favourite playlist yet. We start and end on two entirely different but phenomenal, epic tracks, with a banger, smooth funk, chilled electro-R&B and hip hop in the middle of it all. Enjoy!

  • Tonik Ensemble, Imprints 
    Opening on a stunner. There’s something incredibly magical in Icelandic water. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve never found an Icelandic artist I didn’t love. Opening with deep, subtle synths that slowly trickle their way upwards, the eerie indie vocal melody comes in and absolutely captivates me. There’s strings, effects, flutes and more. I have listened to this song maybe 20 times in the past two days and I have a feeling I won’t be the only one.
  • Alison Wonderland: U Don’t Know ft. Wayne Coyne
    Lets take it up a notch for a few minutes. Listen to this one here, it’s not on Soundcloud. The Australian producer has been blowing the hell up recently, with her knack for huge beats, dark bass and rhythmic gymnastics that keep each phrase as interesting as the last. Teaming up with The Flaming Lips‘ Wayne Coyne for her new track, it’s sultry, it’s deep and it’s ready for a sweaty, sweaty dance floor.
  • Argonaut&Wasp, When You Came Into My Life
    Definitely my favourite song of the week. This track blew me away the first time I heard it, and it continued to do so for the next 15 or so times too. Unbelievably smooth, sexy, understated groove with an incredible melody and a wicked guitar solo. Read my full song review here. “One for the bedroom playlist, one for the dirty-martinis-on-a-rooftop playlist.”
  • Slum Sociable, Anyway
    The debut track from new duo Slum Sociable absolutely caught my ear on first listen. The lo-fi vibe gives it a bluesy, vintage vibe, while the gorgeous melody dances with piano licks and shuffling hip hop percussion. All in all this is a seriously cool track. I can’t wait to hear more from these guys.
  • ZAPED, Eyes Collide ft. Groszek
    Once again proving that Australian producers have a hell of a lot to offer, this is a really nice track, with a bubbly bass, rich vocals and an airy, enchanting soundscape. The laid back beats lay the foundation for a beautiful atmosphere, topped off by a soft, yet attention-grabbing soulful melody.
  • Terry Urban, Video Girl Dreams
    Okay so I’ve never posted a mash-up into a playlist, but this one is too good to pass up. It’s only one minute long, bu tluckily it’s a teaser for a full album, FKA Biggie, a blissfully, surprisingly perfect combination of Laneway headliner FKA Twigs and Notorious B.I.G. I don’t need to even say anything else, just give it a listen.
  • Kaytranada, Drive Me Crazy ft. Vic Mensa
    I freaking love Kaytranada, and I’ve recently started getting really into Laneway performer Vic Mensa. This is a match made in heaven. Kay’s plinky synth rhythms and a deep, dark bass complement Mensa’s spat-out flow to perfection, the ultimate contrast between chilled electronica and utterly cool hip hop verses.
  • Flower Drums, Don’t Wait ft. South
    Another totally smooth lo-fi track, with sensual syncopation and gentle, husky vocals. One of my favourite things is R&B-infused low key electronic music with light vocals, and, well, this hits the nail on it’s very sexy head. Guitar plucks and echoed vocal loops add tantalising colour to the already sumptuous layers.
  • Seekae, The Stars Below (LUCIANBLOMKAMP remix)
    I can’t explain how much I love this remix. I’m a big fan of both artists and this is something else. Adding so much murky, industrial, weird darkness to the original track – one of my favourites off Seekae’s 2014 album The Worry – it’s strange and glitchy and perfect, it’s left me both totally on edge and totally satisfied. Read my full single review here.
  • Shlohmo, Buried
    Ending on a particularly dark note. There’s something so fucking eerie and disconcerting about this track. My friend described it as the kind of song you might hear on the Blade Runner soundtrack, and that’s the exact perfect way to explain it. As the track unfolds it booms and crashes around a wailing synth, the atmosphere just blossoms into something so phenomenally dark. Listen from start to end, at full volume, with headphones.