The Easter weekend always throws a spanner or two in the works when it comes to organisation, so you’ll have to forgive us for skipping last week’s playlist. However, because we know you clearly wait on this to come every Friday, we have collected the best songs not only from this week, but last week too to form one big, mega, super duper playlist overflowing with stellar musical gems. Enjoy!
Thomston x Wafia, Window Seat
Newcomer Thomston has teamed up with rising star Wafia for this brand new track, and it totally blew us away. Sharp beats pierce the hazy synths, ticking away whilst a bed of atmospherics oozes below. It’s got some beautiful and passionate lyrics and vocal efforts from both artists, and shows them both off so well. It’s a pretty intoxicating blend of RnB and electro, creating a gorgeous song that will hold both artists in great stead as they continue to blow up.
Meredith, How Could You Believe That
Just listen to that voice! I was hooked from the get go, but got weak at the knees around 47 seconds when things really kick off. Meredith has been kicking around for a while, but this song is something else all together. It’s powerful, and demands you to sit up and listen- but she makes it sound so easy. Her voice almost has a hint of “I told you so” smugness as she asks the song title over swelling harmonies and explosive synths and cymbals. She’s got the experience behind her, and now she’s got the single to truly break through. Go girl!
Lupa J, Numb
Lupa J doesn’t always release new music, but when she does it’s truly something else. More than worth the wait, she has now returned with Numb; just under 4 minutes of a dreamy, electro kaleidoscopic. Turning and spinning unpredictably, Lupa J keeps you on your toes with this enchanting track. Her breezy voice is sublime as it glides across her shifting bed of noise, calming and hypnotic as it goes. Fresh from supporting none other than Grimes and taking out triple j’s Unearthed High competition for the second year in a row, it’s safe to say Lupa J is the real deal.
Nearly Oratorio, Occlude
You may recognise these vocals as those of I’lls or Kllo, due to the fact that the man behind the voice, Simon Lam, is a prodigal music wizard. Nearly Oratorio is yet another project of his, and it too doesn’t disappoint. Occlude is the latest single from his forthcoming EP, Tin, and is a snapshot into just how precise and meticulous Lam’s mind is. A more intricate song released in recent times, you probably can’t find. Layers of delicate keys intertwine whilst an almost tribal like drum beat quietly comes into play, before Lam’s Grizzly Bear-esque voice falls soft above it. It all kicks in around the 1:30 minute mark, and the gentle but hypnotic concoction of all of his elements tied together with some expert production is almost too good. Bring on the full release of Tin, because we need more of this in our lives!
Verge Collection, Class Of ’09
I really like this song because I think along these lines more often than not. Tackling spoilt brats who think they have it hard, Verge Collection ask us all to check our privilege a bit with the tongue in cheek hook, “Wasn’t high school hard?” Talking about still sucking a silver spoon whilst pretending otherwise, Verge Collection sound pretty fed up with these folks, but they make it sound so damn good with their Aussie indie sounds. Tight guitars and drums, a catchy hook and a searing guitar solo to really take things to the next level, Class Of ’09 is a fantastic track following on from the release of their debut album, Our Place. Here’s hoping we hear more of these guys soon.
Feki, Thankful
I CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF FEKI! Every single time he releases a new song, I am blown away by it again and again. Thankful once again has outdone anything he has released prior to this, making me question just how good someone really can get. Clearly working hard to hone his skills more and more with every track, Feki is quickly becoming one of the most hyped artists in the country, and it doesn’t take long to see why. Thankful is a slow burner, with atmospheric synths slowly climbing to exhilarating heights, where his signature rolling drums and vocal samples come into play. The synths and atmospherics bloom gracefully, swirling around the almost trap-styled percussion, creating a gorgeous build before the real fun begins. Thankful is probably Feki’s most beautiful track yet, delicate and gentle as it rises and falls. Don’t say we didn’t warn you that he’d take over the world!
Big Wild, Aftergold Ft Tove Stryke
Aftergold was previously released just as an instrumental from Big Wild, but now he has teamed up with Swedish pop star Tove Stryke to breathe new life into his already stellar track. Playful and fun, Stryke turns Aftergold into a sassy, boastful, confident jam. Sounding right at home over Big Wild’s jangly chimes and synth sounds, as well as his rolling drums and hard hitting booms. In fact, this new take sounds so good we wouldn’t be surprised if Big Wild didn’t venture further into the pop realm thanks to Stryke. Previously released on ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective, we can only expect bigger and better things from Big Wild, but we can’t help hoping it’s more material with Stryke. Match made in musical heaven!
Anna Of The North, Baby
Reminiscent of James Blake, Anna Of The North’s new single, Baby, is an intimate and fragile number that gives you a vulnerable feeling almost instantly. It’s slow, smooth and forlorn as Anna pines after an uncertain lover. It’s got traces of 80’s electro with her drum machines and synths, but has been brought into the future thanks to her forward thinking production. It’s got that on edge feeling you get when you don’t know where you stand with someone, and although that’s not an easy feeling to experience, Anna Of The North captures it so well. A truly beautiful song.
Skies, Speed Boy
Now this is a jam. Adelaide synth pop trio Skies have teamed up with acclaimed producer Steven Schram (San Cisco, The Cat Empire, Paul Kelly) to lend his musical know-how for their latest single Speed Boy, and they’ve pulled it off in spectacular fashion. Sexy, smooth, and explosive in all the right places, this smoky pop/RnB number is inviting and seductive as they pull you in, bewitching you with their tight drums and excellent synth work- not to mention that falsetto. The guys have supported the likes of Tkay Maidza and SAFIA last year, and judging from the sounds of this track here, they’re ready to give it their all this year. We can’t wait to hear what they do next.
Colourwaves, Night Boat
Sydney artist Colourwaves has been doing his own thing for a little while now, so I guess you could say he’s been making waves of his own… All puns aside, this latest track sounds like a fantastic blend of the likes of M83, Neon Indian or Washed Out, melded together with his own flair. It’s woozy and lush, and takes me back to the late 00’s when things were much easier. His vocals soar gracefully over his 80’s synths and pulsing atmospherics, whilst a muffled drum beat keeps things coasting along very nicely. Night Boat is the latest taste of his fourth EP, which is set to drop this month, so be sure to take my word for it and keep an eye out for that!
Nina Las Vegas, EZY
Yassss Nina! The queen of Australian dance music strikes again with this banger. Delving further into that Jersey bounce, big room stuff we’ve heard from her in this past, this track absolutely bangs – and bangs hard. Skittering synths and huge beats combine to make it a total ear worm; a hugely exciting move from the legendary radio host/DJ. Out now on her own label, NLV records, Nina is continuing to slay making her own way as an artist in the industry, and it’s tracks like this that really bring home the message of just how good she is.
Huntly, We Made It
We recently premiered a stunning video for this Melbourne band, and they didn’t waste any time pumping out another utterly sublime track not long after. Titled We Made It, this song is just perfect. From the heavenly vocals of lead singer Elly, to the lofi RnB beats, the gentle blooming synths and more. It’s just beautiful, and wins best track on this list by far. Huntly are onto a really good thing here and I am so excited to watch what they do next. They’re launching their single on April 14 at the Gasometer in Melbourne, with Mondegreen, Corin and our favourite, Squidgenini which promises to be an unreal night. Get along if you know what’s good for you.
LDRU, Keeping Score (The Meeting Tree Remix)
This track was already huge, but The Meeting Tree just took it to the next level. With bass that would blow your speakers, they go in, taking the already dance floor friendly track into the dark, dingy club. These guys are notorious for just having fun, and that’s exactly what they’ve done here. Hitting the road again this June, LDRU is set to play some of his biggest venues yet, as he continues to acquire an almost cult-like following. Fingers crossed the Meeting Tree show up to rip into this bad boy!
Deeds, Dream Song
New Brisbane band Deeds are really fresh on the scene, but the combined years experience of each of the members puts them at veteran status- and their latest single proves it. Dramatic pianos, big crashing drums, stunning vocals and more, Dream Song is as impressive as they come for a new band. Vocalist Beau Lindsay sounds incredible, his voice bellowing as he cries his gorgeous lyrics. I think what I love most about this song is you can really feel how much time and effort has gone into it, and it really shows in how well it has come together. Deeds is a name you had better remember.
Holy Fuck, Xed Eyes
Amazing band name aside, Holy Fuck are actually so good it borders on ridiculous. Xed Eyes is the latest release from their forthcoming album, Congrats, which is out in May, and is just under 4 minutes of weird, glitchy, industrial electro punk. With heavy effects on just about everything, the band have really played around with their sound on this one, and it had me hooked from the get go. Things get really hectic with about a minute to go, and you can practically imagine the heaving crowd that would be whipped into an absolute frenzy when this one would be played live. They’ve just announced some overseas dates, so fingers crossed they set their sites for Australia VERY soon indeed!
River Tiber, Illusions (Ft. Pusha T, Prod. River Tiber, Kaytranada, Doc McKinney)
River Tiber is the latest signee to local label Good Manners, who won’t fall in the “local” category much longer thanks to their knack for signing acts that really are something else. Illusions sees River Tiber team up with none other than Pusha T, who lends a fiery verse for the otherwise blissed out track. It also has production credits from none other than living legend Kaytranada, as well as Doc McKinney, proving that sometimes more hands are better. Illusions is lofi heaven, and a rare occurence to hear King Push on such a chilled out number. Thankfully, Pusha T must have seen what Good Manners saw, and the world is beginning to see- and that is a very talented artist just about to hit his prime. Stay tuned for this guy!
Gypsy & The Cat, I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else
Gypsy & The Cat continue their triumphant return with yet another outstanding single, I Just Wanna Be Somebody Else. Providing the perfect soundtrack for that impending existential crisis, Gypsy & The Cat take things down a few levels from their all out synth jams to delve into a kind of chillwave area – an area they actually sound great in. As dynamic as you can get with a track this chilled out, the thick, buzzsaw synths of the hook paired with the quiet verses creates a back and forth not unlike the feelings and thoughts you’d be having if you were the protagonist of this track. It makes me feel okay to want to be somebody else, as long as I get to listen to this bad boy while I’m doing it.
Jenny Broke The Window, Airport Love
Jenny Broke The Window are one of those bands that you may say you’ve never heard of them before, and you’re met with a chorus of “Really?! You’ve never heard of them?!” Well, that happened to me anyway, but I’ve since learned my lesson and they quickly earned a permanent place on my radar. If you haven’t heard of them either (Seriously?!), let their latest single serve as the perfect introduction to them. Airport Love is a perfect slice of alt-pop, with breezy, airy vocals and a slowly rising bed of sounds that is added to bit by bit until you’re presented with a fully fledged indie pop tune to boogie to. They’ve locked in some pretty impressive support slots over the past few months, and by the sounds of this, things are only getting bigger and better for them in the very near future- for very good reason.
Boys Noize, Starchild (Ft. Polica)
Fresh off the press just today, Boys Noize has shared a brand new track today through Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 show. Being heralded as Lowe’s latest “World Record”, this time we see the legendary techno wizard team up with Polica for some absolutely stunning vocals. Titled Starchild, this track has a dramatic build, twinkling atmospherics and underground techno/footwork sounds that show Boys Noize is really on his A game with this new material. The track also comes with the announcement that a brand new album is on its way, and will be out in late May. Titled Mayday, it’s meant to be his “most dynamic album to date”, and judging from this and his previous track Euphoria ft Remy Banks, I’d say we are all in for a real treat come May 20!
Ecca Vandal, Truth To Trade
Ecca Vandal rules. Everything she touches rules. Her songs are so badass and unashamedly confident, she makes me want to get up and kick the day ahead in the face. Truth To Trade is no exception. With a guitar that stirs in your loins and her punk vocals not holding back even for a second, she once again gives it her absolute all here. Taken from her End Of Time EP released earlier this year, this track was a true stand out on that record, so it’s only fitting it gets its own single treatment, with a kickass clip to boot. Check out the video below, with footage taken from her Sydney show on her recent tour, and try not to break anything as you thrash around to this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X-YsbqXNUw
These are the best songs of the week, with new tracks from all over the globe. From Denmark with Kenton Slash Demon, to Brighton with Sea Bed, Philadelphia with Louis Futon, Melbourne with Bad Vision or Sydney’s Ribongia and everywhere else in between – if it’s a good track, you can rest assured it’s in this playlist. Trust us!
Fountaineer, Still Life
This song sounds like the song that would play during the opening credits of an 80’s teen drama, and I mean that in the best way. It’s racing guitars and thumping beat, as well as it’s almost crooner harmonies remind me of a mix between prom band and Arcade Fire and The War On Drugs – a combo I really enjoy. It’s rocking but danceable, and signifies a really big step up for Fountaineers. Bring on the next single!
Louis Futon, Wasted On You (Ft. ROZES)
Lous Futon is no stranger to remixes, having released reworks for Gallant, Future, G-Eazy, Mos Def, Wiz Khalifa and more in the past, but now he’s trying his hand at his own material. Titled Wasted On You, he has teamed up with vocalist ROZES for this one – an ODESZA inspired electro jam with glitchy flourishes, driving drums and a huge breakdown. It’s been released by ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective, which is an impressive accomplishment on it’s own, and it certainly helps when the song is as good as it is. Louis Futon better get used to this original stuff, we definitely need to hear more!
Bad Vision, Goons
Taken from their forthcoming sophomore release, Turn Out Your Sockets, Goons is the first taste of a band that has grown up. Still keeping that same “youthful exuberance” that worked as their initial appeal back in 2013, they’ve taken the past couple of years to really hone their sound and figure out where they should go from here. By all accounts, they’ve stuck to their guns and chosen the right path, as Goons rules with it’s punky, DIY garage sounds and raucous attitude. Turn Out Your Sockets will be out in early May, and it’s certainly a release we will be looking forward to hearing!
Slowly Slowly, New York, Paris
Slowly Slowly are a new duo, formed only last year, but don’t let that fool you into thinking they’re amateurs. No, they’re capable of some pretty great tunes, and New York, Paris is a perfect example of that. Featuring an absolutely gorgeous voice and a stark but meticulous guitar, you can feel the frustrated restlessness they’re going through about being stuck in one place and needing to get out so badly. Then the track takes a turn and blooms into a fully functioning slow rock jam with a piercing drum beat and guitar. Really, really nice.
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Write Back
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have been kicking around for a while now, but this single marks their first since signing to tastemaker label, Ivy League, and definitely one of their best. They only just released their debut EP in October last year, but already have garnered a huge following thanks to their rolling rock songs and upbeat, driving tunes. Write Back is infectious and fun, whilst showing off the band’s ever-improving musicality – not that they really needed it! We’re expecting even bigger things to come from these guys.
Ribongia, My Word Ft. Hancoq
Ribongia is quickly becoming one of my favourite producers, ever since he released Save The Children back in 2014. Since then, he’s taken some time to work on some new tracks and now it seems we are finally able to hear them. First came Journeys towards the end of last year, and now we have My Word. Teaming up with ESESE member Hancoq, the pair have created this jungle vibe hip-hop jam, with warm, tropical vibes and some really great lyrics from Hancoq. It’s so much fun, and will be an absolute banger live. It’s also got us really, really keen to hear what else he’s been working on. Let’s just hope we can hear more soon!
Sea Bed, Conquerer
This track wins best of all this week, hands down. The UK garage house beat; the blooming, soulful vocals; the blushing, bubbling synths; Sea Bed have absolutely nailed this one. A duo hailing from the UK, they said of that track that its “a song about overcoming fear. It’s about accepting the flaws in each other and realising that real strength is vulnerability, real strength is taking your barriers down to let people in.” It’s also just really fucking beautiful.
Gypsy & The Cat, Inside Your Mind
I’m really excited that Gypsy & The Cat are making more music. Their 2010 album, Gilgamesh, is one of my favourite Australian releases ever, and their new material is shaping up to be quite excellent as well. Inside Your Mind has only been out in the world for a few days and has already seen widespread critical acclaim and fan loving. Trademark Gypsy & The Cat sounds like the soaring vocals, driving guitar and dreamy synths are all at work here, showing that even though they’ve grown up a bit, they’re still sticking to their guns. Inside our minds will be this song for days on end.
The Invisible, Save You
Released via tastemakers Ninja Tune, The Invisible have released one of the funkiest tracks I’ve heard in a long time with Save You. It’s smooth, groovy, pretty sexy and really catchy. It’s dark and mysterious, you don’t quite know where it’s going but you enjoy it all the same. Taken from a forthcoming album out this year, here’s hoping we hear a lot more of this in the very near future!
Kenton Slash Demon, Dok
I was pretty late to the party with these guys, but I’m still glad I came. Danish duo Kenton Slash Demon make really intricate electronica in the form of sprawling, shuffling soundscapes and each song is its own experience. Their latest single, dropped only a few hours ago is titled Dok, and comes alongside the news of a 12″ being released in March via Australia’s own Future Classic. It’s just under 6 minutes of jumpy but smooth dance music that will have you grooving in no time, and is yet another example of the fine music these two are capable of making.
Murmurings that foreshadowed the return of Melbourne indie pop duo Gypsy & The Cat (the union of Xavier Bacash and Lionel Towers) surfaced in April with the single Climb Into The Music (featuring Melbourne singer-songwriter Paul Kelly), after a two year break following 2012’s The Late Blue. It wasn’t long after that they released their bright, rhythmic dance track Evolution, a collaboration with Melbourne disco-darlings Client Liaison that couldn’t have been more divine if the 80s itself had delivered it, leotard, snap bracelets and all.
Now, they’ve gone and dropped a surprise EP Hearts a Gun, a delirious, sparkling assortment of multi-faceted, falsetto-led psyche pop splashed across 6 truly delightful tracks. Reflecting the duo’s chameleonic ability to swing between different slivers of the pop world, the EP zigzags between shimmering, synth-led dance (just TRY not to whistle to the title track Hearts a Gun), more eclectic, ambient dream pop (as with the dreamy, INXS-feeling Sunday) and the hazy, alt rock-vibes of Red Wine and Cigarettes (not dissimilar to Wild Nothing’s Empty Estate). It’s a truly delightful surprise for a Monday, and you can listen here:
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Hearts a Gun is the precursor to a highly anticipated third full-length album, which they’ve been recording for the last 18 months after their incredible two albums The Late Blue (2012) and Gilgamesh (2011), which you’ll remember fondly for its celestial, rolling keyboard-led single Jona Vark (which to this day, is the song that reminds most me of warm, glistening summer ciders in Byron Bay, where I first heard it). Standing them in good stead for the album ahead, they’ve also quietly amassed some pretty remarkable musical street-cred, having been supported by Mark Ronson on his East Village radio show, released singles through Young and Lost, Kitstune Maison and mixed their debut album with David Fridmann (MGMT, Flaming Lips) and Rich Costey (Rage Against the Machine).
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YboETF6ZHQ&w=560&h=315]
With a trifecta of surprises under their belt for 2015, we can only hope that the album release comes just in time for Christmas, and perhaps if we’re *really* good little boys and girls this year, a national tour as a stocking-stuffer.
This week’s playlist is one that will chill you out more than the harsh Australian winter. It’s made up of absolutely sublime songs from a great mix of artists, from the sophisticated to the soulful. Happy Friday!
Airling – Stallin’
Brisbane singer Hannah Shepherd, also known as Airling released her EP Ouroboros last year, but has had a bit of time off recently. However, that all changed this week with the release of a new track, Stallin’. Featuring a VERY different sound for the artist, this track is smooth, sexy and sophisticated, drawing influence from the R&B greats. Although it may have come as a surprise to the Airling faithful, there is no denying her voice is perfectly suited to this style. Let’s hope we hear more of this in the very near future!
Leo Kalyan – Golden Age
Leo Kalyan has been on my radar for a few months, and if he’s not on yours yet this song will surely change that! The London singer is about to drop a new EP titled Silver Linings at the end of this month, and his incredibly smooth voice is on full display with Golden Age. The layering and dynamics in the song are powerful, emotive and so strong, but also conducted in a way that is calming in the way it floats along. Sublime.
Slow Turismo – I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up
I’m not easily impressed when it comes to indie rock, but something about the Slow Turismo guys just gets me. Maybe it’s the way they fit about four songs in one, maybe it’s that lead vocal, or the way they work seamlessly together to let their songs grow and breathe, but there is definitely something about them that does it for me and their new single, I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up is another excellent example of this!
Roseau – New Glass
Roseau has already worked with Lapalux, been included on Bonobo‘s Late Night Tales, has toured with Lianne La Havas, and has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy. Not too bad for someone who is still yet to release their debut album! However, the wait for that is soon to be over, with the release of New Glass and the confirmation that her album, Salt is on the way! If you’ve not heard of her, New Glass is a perfect way to be introduced. Unpredictable, alive and packed with enough party vibes that it could get any dancefloor going, I was hooked from about 10 seconds in.
Gypsy & The Cat + Client Liaison – Evolution
Two of Australia’s greatest acts of the last 10 years have teamed up and, after teasing fans for a while, they have finally released their first collaborative track. Heralding their return to the scene, Gypsy & The Cat have found perfect musical harmony in Client Liaision, and Evolution is all I thought it would be and more. Showcasing both duos great strengths (they both have many), the track is predictably high energy, powerful and so much fun, but now all it’s got me doing is hoping for a joint tour! (Hint, hint).
Cleopold – Down In Flames
You might recognise Cleopold’s voice from Cassian‘s Running or Miami Horror‘s Love Like Mine, but now it’s time for this singer/songwriter to go it alone with the release of his debut single, Down In Flames. Having signed to Chet Faker‘s label Details Co., he has definitely taken some influence from his labelhead when it comes to this song, but has done enough to distance himself and create a sound entirely his own. He is set to record his debut album later this year, and that is one record I can’t wait to hear!
I’lls – Keep
I’lls are one of those groups that continually, without fail, out do themselves with every release. Keep is the latest addition in this trend, and once again the boys have stepped up even further. This is the second single from their forthcoming EP Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country (out next week via Solitaire Recordings), and has only added to our anticipation of it’s release. Totally lush, this beautiful track caresses you and makes you feel okay. We cannot wait to see these three in action at Splendour later this month!
Safia – Embracing Me
It’s no secret that Safia are onto something really good, and have had a huge last few months. Now, with the release of their new single, Embracing Me, they can probably expect even more. The kaleidoscopic breakdown, the warm chorus that has come just in time for the Australian winter, the infectious melody – Safia have once again flexed their musical skills and remain forerunners in the electronic/indie game.
Statik Selektah – All You Need Ft. Action Bronson, Ab-Soul & Elle Varner
Yes, we covered this track already, but it’s so damn good it can’t not be in this week’s playlist. Bronson and Ab-Soul shine through with their verses, and the beautiful, swelling, jazzy, soulful vibes from Selektah are like a dream. Elle Varner’s electrifying voice gives the track even more life, but it really comes down to Selektah’s flawless production that makes the track what it really is.
Manor – Can You Hear Me Talking At You
Melbourne duo Manor released this bad boy just yesterday, and we are so glad they did. Enchanting and soft vocals, hypnotic melodies and searing guitars, Can You Hear Me Talking At You is one of the more beautiful tracks I’ve heard in quite some time. Mixed by Gareth Jones (Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) in Shoreditch, London and mastered by Joe Lambert (Animal Collective, Unknown Mortal Orchestra) in Brooklyn, NYC, that would probably explain the worldly feel to the song – mature, self-assured and although seemingly tough, quite sweet and gentle as well.