For many Australians in university and school, it is time, or almost time, to break for the summer. Once those finals are done, you can finally relax and have a moment with fewer worries. For those of us not in school, we can use these songs to look forward to the weekend, or remind us to look forward to anything, really. Perhaps you are seeing this after or during the holidays, and need something to remind yourselves to breathe and smile through your relatives asking why you aren’t married yet. Either way, here’s a playlist to dance to and let out a mental sigh of relief.
1. Cashmere Cat – Throw Myself a Party ft. 2 Chains, Tory Lanez, and Starrah
You’re through what it is you were going through. And now it’s time to throw yourself a party. This incredible track was the second single off of Cashmere Cat’s upcoming project Wild Love, and promises great things coming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYl7_L8U28Y
2. Ryan Hemsworth – Burying the Sun
Whatever it was that you needed to bury, leave it behind. This song from Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth is a beautiful journey, from it’s gentle softness to jumpy percussion, this odd yet beautiful song will help us bury our demons.
3. Yogi – Blow You Up ft. AlunaGeorge
This is a song purely designed to make you feel good. Yogi is known best for his harder works, such as the classic song Burial with Skrillex, Trollphace, and Pusha T, but this softer side made for a rather infectious beat.
4. EPROM and G Jones – Warrior
To contrast our last track, we have possibly some of the hardest, soul-crushing trap released this year. Eprom’s iconic subterranean bass sound and G Jones’ expertise birthed an absolute banger fit to make you feel like a warrior.
5. Nick Murphy – Fear Less
Nick Murphy, previously known as Chet Faker, released this as his first single on his project with a new name. This building intensity with the voice and production we all know and love bring us less fear and we look forward to what he’ll do next.
https://soundcloud.com/chet-faker/fear-less
6. Flosstradamus and TroyBoi – Soundclash
“A sound clash enough to heal ya” indeed. After America’s election and after a hard semester at school or day at work, we could all use some healing. The immediately recognizable trap styles of Flosstradamus and TroyBoi expertly mix to create something that’s become a staple in the sets and libraries of many.
7. Willow Beats – From Under the Ground
A bit of an indie flair from one of Australia’s best female-led electronic duos. Lead singer Kalyani’s vocals are reminiscent of a siren song, and this bouncy, almost hip-hop style beat blends well with this floating melodic voice.
8. Major Lazer – Night Riders ft. Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz, Pusha T & Mad Cobra)
Major Lazer has become something of a worldwide force, and the song Lean On became the most streamed song on Spotify of all time. This song is a perfect way to blend electronic, reggae, and hip hop without outshining the vocalists, creating a song about getting what you want and having the best night ever with none of the cheesy.
9. RL Grime – Core (Djemba’s Selassie Bootleg)
Perhaps you’ve heard Core by RL Grime, or maybe you have and you didn’t know it. Now, not just anyone can remix one of the most iconic trap songs of all time, but Djemba Djemba, who’s done production for names like Sia, Chris Brown, and Alison Wonderland, did it successfully without removing any of the song’s original flair, and that flip near the end is an absolute killer.
https://soundcloud.com/djembadjemba/core-djembas-selassie-bootleg
10. Flume – Free
As the end to a playlist to a song about relief, we had to have the one song that makes us feel freest of all. This song is a release to bad energy, a new clarity or beginning from Australia’s own, who has had one of the biggest years of his life following the release of his sophomore album, Skin. Listen below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytgx9aiGHkU
This is a playlist meant for nothing but enjoyment, to get a taste of many genres and let go of our inhibitions and stressors for a half hour or so.
Major Lazer have just dropped the latest video from last year’s album, Peace is the Mission. Light It Up features guest artists Nyla and Fuse ODG, and the video was directed by Sam Pilling (who has worked on clips for Two Door Cinema Club, The Weeknd, J Cole and more.) It was shot in Ghana, where Fuse’s family is from.
Speaking on the video in a press release, Pilling said, “Because Fuse’s family is from Ghana we thought it would bring a really interesting aesthetic to film the video there… Delving deeper into Ghanaian culture, we found that their traditional funeral ceremonies perfectly exemplify this sense of coming together to rise up against sadness.” Celebrating life -even in death- is clearly the aim of the clip, which was shot in black and white.
https://youtu.be/e7eZUGB9HKU
Major Lazer were recently announced as one of the first big-name American acts to perform in Cuba since diplomatic ties between the two countries were restored: they’re playing a free gig in Havana this weekend. Perhaps it’s all signalling a more positive approach to life in the year 2016, considering it was around this time in 2015 that Major Lazer founder and controversial douchebag Diplo was caught out indulging in a bunch of pathetically crude and sexist remarks as he tried to defend himself against accusations of theft, among other issues.
For the first time in over thirty years, a music festival produced in partnership between American and Cuban organisers will be taking place in Havana. The inaugural event, titled Musicabana, will be taking place from May 5th-8th, and is slated to be the largest gathering of Cuban performers in a generation, along with international acts locked in to to appear at the four day festival.
In the lead up to the event, electro-trio Major Lazer will be performing at a free concert on March 6th, making them one of the first big-ticket American acts to play in Cuba since the restoration of diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba just over a year ago.
Image via Billboard
Taking place at La Tribuna José Martí on Havana’s iconic waterfront in front of the U.S. Embassy, the show will serve as a prelude to Musicabana, which will boast a lineup of over 25 global and local artists, bands and DJs across three venues. As part of the event, Major Lazer will also meet with Cuban music students and share the stage with local up and comers. Inspired by and dedicated to Cuban musical legends Pablo Milanés, Chucho Valdés and Juan Formel, the festival is being produced by Milanés’ Cuban-born, Brooklyn, New York-based son Fabien Pisani.
“Cuba’s music scene is bursting with the same raw talent and energy of decades past,” Pisani remarked. “We are excited and proud to partner with Major Lazer and bring one of America’s top musical talents to Havana this March, helping us launch the Musicabana festival in May. We will make history and build an unprecedented cultural bridge between Cuba, the United States and the rest of the world through the power of music.”
In a press release for the event, Major Lazer’s Diplo was quoted as saying, “For as long as I can remember, Cuba has played an influential role on my love of music — Cuba has such a powerful cultural impact all over the world and for me, especially growing up in Florida, it became one of the biggest cultural centers for music to evolve from… I was lucky enough to visit Cuba a few years back with my friends Calle 13 and during my four days there my mind was blown by the people, depth of culture and their way of life. Going back to perform in 2016 and to be a part of the culture once again is a huge blessing and I couldn’t be more honored to bring the Major Lazer project there.”
Musicabana will be entirely free for the Cuban public, with travel packages and VIP tickets to be made available for international visitors. Announcements regarding the rest of the festival’s lineup are said to be made in the coming weeks and months. When pressed about who else attendees can expect to see, Pisani is reported to have said that “Mick Jagger, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry, Usher and many other global stars have all recently visited Havana. Whoever hits the stage will significantly relate to our festival’s cultural mission and long term vision. Who wouldn’t want to make history by performing in front of millions of young Cuban fans wanting to reconnect with the world?”
This week our weekly video round up is all about quality over quantity. We haven’t had the flood of clips that we have seen in previous weeks, but there is some pure gold to be found below. Whether you want to party til the sun comes up or cry your eyes out, there is a clip just waiting to get you on your way.
Major Lazer – Too Original feat. Elliphant and Jovi Rockwell
Major Lazer bring a real barn stomper with their latest video for track Too Original. Viewers are taken deep into a Euro house party complete with gypsy horns, freely poured spirits, and for some confounding reason, a mustached child. The high intensity merriness matches the pace of the track with dance moves that evoke a little Zorba the Greek and a little Grandmaster Flash, backed by the vigorous vocals of Elliphant. It’s a hell of a good time, and if this party was going down in my neighbourhood, I’d want to be invited.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPL3NLsP__k]
Låpsley – Hurt Me
There is something about the imagery of walking through a forest that resonates so well with heartache. Those long straight lines of trees pierce like daggers against the grey backdrop of the sky, and there is a calmness laid out like a canvas. In the clip for Hurt Me, Lapsley paints the scene with sadness and fragility. It’s a simply shot scene that follows the blonde haired songstress through the woods to the coast, brought to life by the depth of emotions she conveys with her eyes and her voice. It’s a video for anyone who has ever taken one of those long contemplative walks to try and find the pieces of themselves lost along the way, and found something new instead.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6o5dEUmusQ]
Cash + David – Pains 4 U feat. Rome Fortune
Cash + David bring a kaleidoscopic approach to their music with elements of electronica, indie, R & B and hip hop encapsulated with latest single Pains 4 U. Just when you think you have a handle on the song it shifts and whole new pattern is created. The visuals that accompany are shot in an abandoned house in suburbia, transformed by flashy neon lights into a despondent disco. The pair move between the sparse rooms tracing a story ridden with nostalgia. Atlanta rapper Rome Fortune delivers a guest verse that sits in happy juxtaposition against the cool and languid vibes of the track. The vocal pairing between the duo is impressive, and with only two singles under their belt, it is exciting to ponder what else they might bring with their debut album next year.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGZ10467Eh0]
MKO SUN – Black Seaweed
We are big fans of the insanely talented MKO SUN. She hails from Brisbane and will be appearing at the premier of Brisbabes, a newly curated event focused on raising awareness of women in the music scene. And to further cement her awesomeness she has just released a crazy video to accompany track Black Seaweed. The black and white number has the air of a vintage horror movie. Shots transition from the singer in graceful dance, to the submerged head of a woman with pointed fingernails and a mouth filled with caviar, to an otherworldly figure with UV eyelashes and mirrors for tears. Sound weird? Well it is, in the best possible way. Words can’t really sum it up. You’ll just have to see it.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5Dui0dgpMc]
Lontalius – All I Wanna Say
As someone who learned to ride a bike in my adult life, this video hits close to home. The NZ producer, also known as Eddie Johnston, traces just this experience with the clip for his new single All I Wanna Say. The clip captures a sweet display of camaraderie as Johnston takes his first foray on two wheels with the help of a friend. The visual themes echo the tracks sentiments of trust, and protection as the pair share this strangely intimate moment. The whole thing is probably summed up best by Eddie himself, who says, “I’ve never really liked music videos…. This video is nothing more than my best friend teaching me how to ride a bike. I hope that with the simplicity of the lyrics and the video, there is room for people to relate it to their own experiences with both romantic and platonic love.” It’s really quite lovely.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3JewTv7uzI]
World’s End Press – Tall Stories
The title track from EP Tall Stories released today might just be my favourite clip of the week. Shot in the Melbourne outfit’s hometown, it takes a banger of a track and couples it with a dazzling display of dance moves across an urban landscape. Whether it be a jazzed up version of the robot on a basketball court or some hip hop on a roof top, there is plenty of body contortion that will leave your jaw hanging. It’s like watching So You Think You Can Dance? but without all the terrible judges and endless crying. Check it out, but don’t try this at home.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjYhPyUfG4]
Switch (co-founder of Major Lazer and producer for goddesses like M.I.A and Beyonce) has a new project called With You. It is a collective brimming with electrifying talent from the likes of Rick Trainor, Jeff Penalva, Noah Schy, and Daouda Leonard. They have shared a new single called Ghost, which features Vince Staples.
Vince Staples’ slick raps weave around pseudo-industrial soundscapes, like a street goth Berliner dodging piercings and needles in Berghain. He really does demonstrate that his tongued-fire can lick any beat, and boy, does that molten hot lava flow fast. The best part of the song are the alien trumpeeters, who jeer us with their contorted brass-tech. On paper, this song should be a cronenbergian beast. But, everything works out beautifully. Thank you to whoever thought of this marvellous collaboration.
1. Ella Thompson – I Go Over
One half of GL, the singer from Dorsal Fins and The Bamboos, newly solo Ella Thompson is making waves on her own – and rightly so! Check out her latest clip for I Go Over, filled with beautiful scenic shots, girls dancing in pastel colours and her awesome version of nostalgia tinged 80’s dance pop.
2. The Murlocs – Adolescence
One of the more exciting acts to be doing things this year is The Murlocs, and their single Adolescence has been stuck in my head since it came out. The clip suits the song perfectly, with lead singer Ambrose Kenny-Smith sitting on a couch in a knight’s helmet playing video games. Classic.
3. Rapsody – The Man
Rapsody doesn’t get anywhere near as much credit as she so obviously deserves, but perhaps now that she’s featured on Kendrick‘s To Pimp A Butterfly things might be starting to pick up. She just dropped this beautiful, emotional and all too real clip of young boys growing up without fathers. If this amazing artist isn’t on your radar, let this change that for you.
4. Major Lazer ft. MO & DJ Snake – Lean On
I put this one in this list purely for the awkward dancing shown by everyone but Walshy Fire. Also, the shot with MO in a spa/ancient bath with JUST Diplo is both creepy and hilarious. The song is a jam but this clip is lol-worthy.
5. Modest Mouse – Lampshades on Fire
We were incredibly excited about the imminent arrival of Modest Mouse’s new album, so this clip is a big deal for us. They released five tracks ahead of the release date (March 17), and now that it’s out, they’ve deliver this chaotic and visceral clip for what was their first new single. It also features Orange Is The New Black star Natasha Lyonne for some extra industry cred!
6. Chic – I’ll Be There
20 years have passed since the last Chic release, but with the release of their latest track, I’ll Be There it’s like they never left! These guys are literally the forefathers of dance music, living legends and one of the main reasons I got so into music (how could you not when you listen to them?). It was written by Nile Rodgers in relation to him finding friend Bernard Edwards‘ body a few hours after he had died. Although the meaning carries a lot, this track could be played just about anywhere with it’s classic-yet-modern take on disco music.