We love new music. You love new music. Here’s some of our favourite new music that we think you’ll love.
Illy, You Say When (ft. Marko Penn)
You Say When is the third single from Illy’s recent ARIA award nominated album Two Degrees, which pairs the dizzying romance of a new relationship off with the hedonism of getting faded in a hotel room. It feels like a club hit, with dark pulsing synths and a bass drop in the hook that’s bound to get audiences jumping on his upcoming Australian Tour.
The video features beautiful moody lighting to match the aesthetic of the tune, as well as Illy himself fully-clothed and half-submerged in water. Shot on Sydney’s northern beaches, the video showcases exactly what you’re likely to find there: two beautiful people being all emotional.
Lyrics like “Ain’t no emoji for the feeling/Let ’em autocorrect that” made me cringe but generally the song really captures that overly-romantic, love-drunk feeling we’ve all felt on a night out with a crush. Besides, this is a real pop tune from Illy, so maybe he gets away with referencing emojis?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh35NOGfynI
DJ Premier & Miguel, 2 LOVIN U
Any fans (me) of Miguel‘s 2015 album Wildheart might recognise this collaboration with the legendary DJ Premier.
The vocals are taken straight from Wildheart‘s track Damned, but DJ Premier’s incredibly simple version flips the original’s halftime stadium-rock haze for a choppy, clean Strat sound that lands somewhere between classic rock and disco. Underneath, the simplest drum beat ever drives the track forward and leaves you skipping back to the beginning wanting more.
A real ‘less is more’ masterclass from DJ Premier. More collabs like this please, gents.
Lonelyspeck, Settle
Taken from their debut Lave EP, out on Friday 3rd March, Settle comes from Adelaide outfit Lonelyspeck.
Coming very much from the Shlohmo and Lapalux school of trippy, glacial hip-hop sounds, Settle plods and whirs at the same time as it builds up an incredible amount of energy in its sub-three-minute length.
When it kicks in, the band live up to their name by making us feel like lonely specks. It feels as though the cosmos is opening out to meet you in all its dreamy euphoria as the vocals echo benevolently above the mix. One for walking home at night, studying or bed time.
Billie Eilish, Bellyache
This girl is 15. Fifteen. Years. Old. What are you doing with your life, eh?
This is the fourth track Billie Eilish has released – the first, Ocean Eyes, came out back in 2015. We’re yet to hear a full EP from her, but Bellyache feels like a statement of intent from the young Californian about what 2017 might have in store.
Compared to her other tracks, Bellyache leans much closer to the hip-hop production that proliferates the charts right now. Supposedly written in her bedroom with her brother, it features Eilish’s wonderfully folky overdubbed voice and a creative lyricism that you would expect from someone much older.
Age has no doubt been a talking point when it comes to Billie Eilish, but that is to do her music a disservice. Bellyache is a neatly written tune that show her talents transcending her years.
Confidence Man, Bubblegum
A few months ago I got an email from a friend at work that said “CONFIDENCE MAN” and a link to the Brisbane band’s first track Boyfriend (Repeat). I was hooked and couldn’t wait for the next funk-filled track to come out. Then it happened.
New single Bubblegum picks up where the Triple j Unearthed artists left off. With a maddeningly catchy hook and far-too-simplistic lyricism, the track grooves, bounces, flirts, and shakes. I dare you to listen to it without having a little desk boogie.
Excitingly, Confidence Man have just signed to UK label Heavenly Records – also home to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – and have announced a bunch of AUS dates including Golden Plains Festival, Newtown Social Club and Hot Dub Wine Machine.
https://www.facebook.com/confidenceman1/photos/a.970351809730879.1073741827.970346429731417/1227318300700894/?type=3&theater
Image: Confidence Man (Supplied)
Miguel is back. The LA-born artist with one of the most velvety-smooth voices in the game has just released a brand new track, Come Through and Chill featuring production from Salaam Remi.
It’s the one of the first official new songs we’ve heard since 2015’s album Wildheart, and it is simply sublime. Understated and laidback, Come Through And Chill shows off a hazy, less-refined side to the diverse artist. Miguel has this knack for making even the most mundane situational lyrics drip with sex from every pore, and his suave powers are in full force on this one. This is the kind of track that fits as perfectly into the bedroom playlist as it does the morning after playlist, and I have no doubt it’ll be used for both.
There’s no news about whether this track is standalone, or if it’ll appear on any upcoming EPs or mixtapes, but for now, let’s just enjoy the sensual seduction that is Miguel’s music.
He was supposed to perform in Australia late last year for the then-cancelled Soulfest, and promised fans that new dates would be announced in lieu. He is currently continuing his Wildheart tour, and later this year he will be touring with Sia, as her main support alongside AlunaGeorge.
Image: Miguel
Just last week, Miguel announced that an entire EP of reworks of his track, waves, was on the way. Quickly following that, he shared second cab off the rank- a remix by Tame Impala (he performed the Travi$ Scott version on Ellen last week as well). Now, keeping up the pace, he has shared an accompanying video for that remix which features both Miguel and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. #Efficient
What’s also efficient is the turn around for this clip, as it was also last week that Miguel tweeted this photo that put the internet in a frenzy with a severe case of FOMO and wanting desperately to be in between the two men.
Be still, my beating heart…
The clip itself is a winner. Set on a beach with some miserable, dreary weather, the two don’t seem to mind too much about being rained on in this clip. Slouched in chairs as the waves wash over their feet, dancing on the sand and running around, they don’t actually seem to notice at all. Add to that the trippy effects employed when Kevin’s psychedelic tendencies really break through, and you’ll find the only complaint here is that it is over before you know it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUndjuAWNlc
The remix EP, titled Rogue Waves, is out now.
Image: Consequence of Sound
This week, we reported that Miguel’s 2015 track Waves was to be the subject of a new little remix project, featuring reworkings by RAC, Tame Impala and more, including the Travis Scott version already released.
Well, they’ve pretty much all been released now, and our favourite is undoubtedly that from Tame Impala. It’s exactly what you may expect from a collaboration between the pair. Hazy, laid back, and so seductive.
Listen here, as premiered on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 Radio:
The rhythm is an easy ride, while the echoed vocal parts adds splashes of psychedelia into the mix. Thoroughly enjoyable and a uniquely gorgeous blend of the two completely distinct styles, we can only hope that the artists will work together again in future. Keep an eye out for a video to accompany the track – Miguel posted this image of himself filming with Kevin Parker earlier this week.
Below, listen to the remix from RAC and, a stripped back, acoustic version known as the “Joshua Tree Version.”
Rogue Waves Track List
01 Waves (Tame Impala Remix)
02 Waves (Joshua Tree Version)
03 Waves (RAC Remix)
04 Waves [ft. Kacey Musgraves]
05 Waves [ft. Travis Scott]
Image: Instagram
Last year, Grammy award winning RnB singer Miguel released his long awaited third album, Wildheart. With that album, Miguel gave us a collection of some of the best funk and rock infused RnB we’ve heard in a long time, in the process earning himself further Grammy nods.
While the record didn’t reach quite the same heights as 2012’s Kaleidoscope Dream and lead single Adorn, it did provide us with a couple of the straight up sexiest tracks of 2015 and some top-notch collaborations. Now, one of the stand out tracks from the album, waves, is getting the remix treatment from a bunch of people, including Tame Impala and country singer Kacey Musgraves. In fact, the song is getting its own EP, titled Rogue Waves, which will be released on Friday. The announcement follows the singer’s collaboration from last month with Travi$ Scott on a revamp of the song, which they performed on Ellen overnight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=228&v=FtT4BTiDdEY
Miguel will be appearing on The Late Late Show With James Corden with Musgraves this week, presumably to perform waves and discuss their collaboration. While some may find Miguel’s collaboration with the country star surprising, it isn’t the first time the two have worked together, having previously collaborated on stage at the 2014 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute to Carole King. They are also both slated to perform at SXSW, albeit separately, next month. Check out the original track for yourself below, as well as the stellar set list and join us in counting down the days until we have multiple versions of waves in which to get lost in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=272&v=_aPzdHSmcH0
Rogue Waves Track List
01 Waves (Tame Impala Remix)
02 Waves (Joshua Tree Version)
03 Waves (RAC Remix)
04 Waves [ft. Kacey Musgraves]
05 Waves [ft. Travis Scott]
Images: GrooveVolt
Miguel had one of the biggest years of his life last year, and was deservedly nominated for two Grammys to further validate his success. However, it was a performance covering Michael Jackson‘s She’s Out Of My Life that really proved why he is one of the biggest names in RnB.
Although only 30 seconds, you could hear a pin drop as his voice soared. Backed only by a gentle piano courtesy of Greg Phillinganes, the song’s original keyboardist, Miguel stood under a bright spotlight as vintage footage of MJ himself singing the same song played above. Doing the song total justice, our only qualm is that it didn’t go for much, much longer.
The reason for Miguel’s tribute is that Jackson’s Off The Wall is getting the reissue treatment this year. That, and the fact that Michael Jackson should be honoured at every music awards ceremony, in this writer’s opinion at least. Taking time after he finished singing to further pay tribute to the King of Pop, Miguel said “It’s really hard to believe that it’s been more than 35 years since Michael won his first Grammy for a song from Off the Wall,” before presenting the nominees for Best Rock Performance.
He went onto hint that a documentary about the record is on it’s way as well, saying, “It’s an album that broke down barriers in pop music and it’s now the subject of the new documentary by the legendary Spike Lee.”
Check out the brief, but beautiful performance below:
Image: Rap Up
While Kanye West has obviously been dominating headlines with his own WAVES news, another artist has released a track of the same name. R&B crooner Miguel has dropped a gorgeous remix of his 2015 song, similarly titled Waves, featuring bars from none other than Travis Scott.
Waves was originally released on Miguel’s beautiful 2015 album Wildheart, and the Scott-featuring remix has breathed new life into the seductive bedroom track. Blending Miguel’s signature neo-soul sensuality with Scott’s upbeat hip-hop, the track has been given a massive makeover.
The original track opens softly, with that seductive, syncopated blend of neo-soul and rock elements that made Miguel’s album so unique, and so cool. It then opens into a more disco-friendly, dance-floor ready beat, with a bright chorus and suggestive lyrics about riding that wave, surfin’ that wave, and so on. The remix, on the other hand, opens with a heavier beat and an atmosphere that’s immediately bigger, headier, and very Travis Scott, complete with a verse of his own, auto-tune, and Scott-savvy synth flickers.
Miguel was supposed to visit Australia late last year to perform at Soulfest, but unfortunately the event was cancelled just days before it was supposed to kick off. His album, Wildheart, was one of our favourites of 2015, so our fingers are crossed that he’ll be touching down soon!
Since David Bowie’s passing, there has been a rush of public outpouring for the beloved singer. Sarah Blasko, Arcade Fire and Lido have all done tributes to Bowie’s work in the form of covers, and today Miguel joins the ranks with a stripped down and moving performance of Space Oddity.
The singer performed the song at an intimate 300-person free-gig at Bardot in Hollywood, Los Angeles. With the help of only one guitar, Miguel does a sweet and poignant cover of one of Bowie’s most renowned hits. The tribute eventually segues into a rendition of Miguel’s own track, Waves from his album Wildheart.
The only video that exists thus far is shot on an iPhone, but even the granular footage is enough to demonstrate Miguel’s raw talent and ability as a live performer.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ozu2h637lA&w=560&h=315]
Over an hour, Miguel played a variety of tracks, including Simple Things, Hollywood Dreams and Adorn. “We need music and film and visual art. We need to seek knowledge in life,” said Miguel said to the crowd.
“There’s an amazing Kurt Vonnegut story about a society where they had these things attached to their heads where every 30 seconds there was a sharp ring where they forgot everything that happened in the last 30 minutes, and I feel like we’re being programmed the same way.”
“Tonight I just wanted to feel something… new. We all know that life is about being who you are, doing what you believe in, trusting yourself, trusting your instincts. There’s an infinite knowledge of wisdom that you already have that transcends all this programming.”
Back in October, Miguel states in an interview with NME that his wishes he had written Space Oddity, and listed Bowie as one of his biggest inspirations. “That song is just forever going to be classic,” he said. “At the time … we were just going to the moon. It’s just insane, the timing of it.”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hISJ7Z90zWo&w=560&h=315]
Since releasing Wildheart last summer, the accompanying videos for the singles have been steamy to say the least. Coffee, Waves …goingtohell are all sure to leave you red-faced afterwards.
Image: www.bet.com
If there’s one thing Miguel can do, it’s make people wet. Everyone’s favourite modern day crooner has bestowed upon us a colour-filled video for Waves.
If you’ve ever wondered what a house party with Miguel would be like, you’re in luck. If the party you envisioned also featured J Cole and Wale, you might want to hold onto something, because your inner fan girl is about to be utterly satisfied.
For those getting their first taste of Waves, the track itself is a typical Miguel-esque anthem; funk infused R’n’b, with some sensual psychedelic influences thrown in for good measure.
It’s only fitting then, that the video itself is awash with colour; an acid trip without the ingesting of any illegal substances, and perhaps a little less risque than past videos for Coffee and …goingtohell.
The video and the track are a perfect match, and speaks volumes of the artistic persona behind the microphone. Miguel himself has had a euphoric rise this year, having launched his new album Wildheart in late June. It hasn’t all been an easy ride, however, with Toronto’s finest The Weeknd establishing himself as a newcomer and fellow juggernaut of the genre. With mystery surrounding the inevitable release of a new Frank Ocean album, these three heavyweights will be battling it out for the foreseeable future.
Miguel in his own right is clearly one of the most talented R’n’b artists of our generation, so let’s hope he continues to deliver more musical gems such as Waves. As part of the lineup for recently cancelled festival Soulfest, we can only hope that Australia is still on the cards for the sultry and sensual figure.
Go on, get wet with Miguel, you have my permission:
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Miguel has continued his stellar run throughout 2015 this week, capping off a Tonight Show appearance with Jimmy Fallon as the musical guest. Replete with an extra-loud tasseled white jacket and a Scottish moor’s worth of fog around him (not to mention some bitchin’ laser lights), Miguel wowed the studio audience with a beautiful and stripped back live arrangement of one of his newest singles, Simplethings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga_mZSZL230
The track comes from his latest album Wildheart, which dropped at the end of June of this year to rave reviews from all angles. Miguel wasn’t limited to just a musical role though, being interviewed in a segment titled My First Album and giving his take on how Boyz II Men and their album Motownphilly had on his 9-year-old self. Watch:
He also appeared as a contestant on the Tonight Show game Long Story Short, joining Jessica Alba and actor Benicio Del Toro on his team:
If that looks like the kind of live show you could get about, Miguel will be coming down under to Sydney and Melbourne as well as to Auckland in New Zealand to play this year’s edition of Soulfest with some absolute Hall Of Fame acts like Mary J. Blige, Ms. Lauryn Hill, De La Soul and Black Star (if you like problem-solving, you’ll love having a look at working out just how you’re going to catch him in amongst all that soulful goodness with our set times guide).