Since forming in 2011, Morning Harvey have been one of the Brisbane music scene’s vastly underrated acts. Cobbling together a sound steeped in psychedelia and groove-soaked riffs teleported directly from the late 60s and early 70s, punctuated by the carefree vocals of lead singer Spencer White, the band today released a five track EP, love&loveand., as well as announcing an Australian tour to back it up.

The EP kicks off with the gorgeous Pinch Me Velvet, a song that sucks you in with pounding guitar riffs and a hypnotic backbeat, breaking down beautifully midway through only to be built back up to a soaring crescendo. The high point of the EP, Smith Street Swap Meet immediately follows, with reverberating vocals and guitars drenched in feedback, the best I can describe this is a sunny winter’s morning, the wavy little guitar solo mid-song is just nifty.

Next up is the slow-burning love story of T.I.D.E., Smith spreading his vocal wings across a shimmering, kaleidoscopic soundscape which flows naturally into Girl Euphoria, the chorus of which will hook you in immediately. The song is buoyed by a guitar solo full of beautiful twists and bends.

Quince closes the EP out stunningly, the overlapping reverb and gentle acoustic riff that opens the song is mesmerising, the song a perfect mix of acoustic tranquility and grunge-y guitars with some neatly placed synths that harken back to the days of Super Nintendo playing it out.

A scintillating little burst of sound from Morning Harvey. The entire album is a healthy mix of fuzzy guitars, haunting vocals and lyrical themes evoking some deeply pleasant introspection. Sonically, it’s The Stone Roses and Soundgarden drinking a cup of mushroom tea, and you can catch it in a live environment that the record surely does not do justice to on the following dates:

Sat, Jul 4: Sol Bar, Maroochydore

Fri, Jul 10: Great Northern, Byron Bay

Sat, Jul 11: Elephant and Wheelbarrow, Brisbane

Wed, Jul 15: Beach Road Hotel, Sydney

Fri, Jul 17: Shebeen, Melbourne

Sat, Jul 18: Gallery Bar, Sydney

Morning Harvey – Smith Street Swap Meet

Brisbane psych pop band Morning Harvey are an act we cannot get enough of right now, even if we tried. Their first single for 2015, Smith Street Swap Meet came after the hugely successful T.I.D.E, and the accompanying clip has made me love the track all over again. According to frontman Spencer White, the clip was inspired by Bjork and Nick Cave in regards to narrative-based videos, but it’s also open to your own personal interpretation. “This guy has some kind of a bond with this computer monitor and in someways wants to get rid of it and is fed up with whatever they have… But as soon as this certain thing is gone, he wants it back. What that might mean is up to the viewer.” Seriously though, this is my favourite song of this year.

Jamie xx – Gosh

The second single from Jamie xx’s highly anticipated forthcoming album, In Colours paints an even more exciting picture of what we can expect from the prolific producer. Gosh is a percussive dream with sweeping beats and a groove I just can’t get enough of, and in true Jamie style, the accompanying visuals are something to truly be marveled at. Compiling footage from NASA, JPL and Goodard Space Flight Centre Scientific Visualization Studio, the clip directed by Erik Wernquist, shows a projection of space in the future. We cannot wait for this album to drop next month!

Slum Sociable – Anywhere

It’s a pretty great feat, getting as much love as Slum Sociable have been getting from just one single, but when it’s a song like Anywhere – it all makes sense. Now, that hype will surely reach a critical level thanks to the fantastic accompanying video clip. Directed by Danny Cohen (who has previously worked with Mac DeMarco and Chela), the clip shows a bunch of cloaked figures standing on small pillars, with quite a peculiar background. As it gets further into the song, the figures start dancing and eventually writhing around, before leaping across the scenes. It’s really quite beautiful, and is a testament not only to the director but to the song as well.

HEALTH – New Coke

After six years, LA’s HEALTH are well and truly back with their latest video for new single, New Coke. Coming from their third album titled Death Magic, The dark track is frenetic and anxiety-inducing, with it’s quick drums and ethereal vocals, but there is also a sense of fun in there (or is that just me?). The accompanying video, directed by bassist John Famiglietti is equally as ominous, featuring a cameo from Alice Glass as it depicts a harrowing representation of clubbing. Spoiler alert, there is some artistically filmed vomit in one part, so probably best to mentally prepare for that before watching it.

Miami Horror – Love Like Mine (Ft. Cleopold)

Citing “weirdness and sunshine” as two of the band’s biggest mood-influencers, Miami Horror continue their return with the release of their single Love Like Mine. Upon first listen of the track, I imagined a similarly looking video to go along with it – bright, fun, probably involving dancing. However, the boys have gone for a different approach, and instead have opted for a static shot of a car, with their song playing on the radio whilst an unsuspecting story plays before your eyes through the car window. It’s completely different from a lot of other clips seen today, and is definitely one of my favourites of this year!

Ben Khan – 1000

One of the most exciting names in the world right now is Ben Khan, noted perfectionist and game changer. His David Lynch-esque clip for his single 1000 is no exception, with the whole thing taking on a Twin Peaks via some dream wonderland feel. Khan himself appears, splitting his time between typing on a typewriter and hanging out in weird, eerie halls fitted out with tarps and strobe lights, and other such bizarre activities until things get really weird. The track is taken from his forthcoming EP out via his own Blessed Vice imprint.

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.