It’s that time of the week again where we your humble servants save you countless hours and compile only the best videos which have surfaced to the interwebs. Enjoy this week’s video roundup!
ScHoolboy Q – Dope Dealer ft. E-40
Matching the other seven next-level visuals from his Blank Face LP, this latest masterpiece is an incredible POV filmed clip which as you assume, follows the life of dope dealer, but with an interesting twist in perspective. From the plant’s growth, all the way to ScHoolboy’s studio, this video is perfectly tailored to the gritty soundtrack lying beneath. From the banging beat by Metro Boomin’, the nostalgic verse from Cali king E-40 and simply on point verses from Q, it’s hard to not pay attention to this tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdDmC1-p4E
Mura Masa – Love$ick ft. A$AP Rocky
UK producer Mura Masa has been making waves lately with the remix of his 2015 instrumental, featuring none other than A$AP Rocky. Following the hugely successful Love$ick, the pair have now dropped the video, a harshly realistic portrayal of British teen life. Mura’s clips always have a brilliant aesthetic, and this is no different, following a group of friends as they hangout and party, it’s impossible not to get some good vibes from this video and track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJM4AQSbZDk
Lance Skiiiwalker – The Toaster ft. ScHoolboy Q
One of the more obscure tracks from his debut album now has an even stranger video. TDE’s latest signee has enlisted label-mate ScHoolboy Q for a smokers anthem, accompanied by an extremely strange and surreal animated video. The pair exchange slick and sultry croons over an addictive synth-heavy funk beat, all in all a catchy as hell combination. While we’ve certainly seen a lot of Lance recently, he definitely isn’t outstaying his welcome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx-dAGiQyUo
bLAck pARty – Best View
Emerging from Childish Gambino’s ROYALTY collective, the mysterious bLAck pARty has dropped this incredibly smooth track Best View, a glance into his debut EP. Showcasing entirely wondrous vocals gliding over a wavy, laid back instrumental, there’s no doubt this will be a name to watch in the coming years. Thanks Gambino!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXtSHrEpvdQ
Yeo – Frost
Melbourne’s ethereal singer and producer Yeo has dropped an amazing video for his tune Frost, turning down the conventional music video styles for a more creative and down to earth video. Featuring footage of his travels through Japan and Korea on his latest tour, the clip gives you an amazing perspective into the artist’s life. Combine this with a moving love inspired message, along with sultry hooks, funky riffs and jaw-dropping synths, it’s well worth the listen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh6vMMhKvcM&feature=youtu.be
Aanysa & Snakehips – Burn Break Crash
UK production duo Snakehips have quickly branded themselves as one of the most powerful electronic teams around, and setting out to propel this even further is their new collaboration with singer Aanysa. A perfect blend of pop with Snakehips’ trap and dance influenced sound, along with a captivating choreographed clip, the result is a banger that, although very different from what many may have expected, is nevertheless as much an earworm as any.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-AqEJzEXYQ
Billy Davis – No Longer Lovers
Branded as Australia’s answer to the incredible Anderson .Paak, the bar has already been set high for Melbourne group Billy Davis. The 11-piece are funking their way to greatness with their latest single No Longer Lovers, with boppy instrumentation, insatiable rhythms and even sharp rap verse which accompanies, it’s clear that these lads and lasses are on their way to greatness. As if the track couldn’t get any better, the clip fulfils one of our greatest dreams, to roller-skate through the supermarket, creating a work that is feel good and good vibes entirely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0p-QbuLdzI
Mary J. Blige – Thick Of It
This bold new single sees legendary New York singer Mary J. Blige returning with an even sharper new sound. With her sultry vocals soaring over a wonderfully soulful and fresh booming beat, Blige calls out her partner for wronging her over the years. With a flashy and bold clip to accompany, it’s exciting to see Mary J. Blige still dropping hits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KcdZZnBfRA
AJ Tracey – Buster Cannon
London’s finest newcomer, AJ Tracey is back at it again, this time invading Japanese shores with his bold, adrenaline packed sound. Bodying another new wave grime instrumental, AJ’s verses are sharper than ever, not to mention the catchy hook, which is sure to get the raves going wild. Visually he really excelled on this one too, traversing through the concrete jungle, the opening branded it a “motion picture”, and it really is nothing short. Next level cinematography, next level bars, what more could you ask for – oh, an EP? Well, he’s got that coming too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9-9GWFuS5w
Danny Brown – Really Doe ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt
Following the release of his latest studio album, Danny’s back, and he’s better than ever. Now with the release of a lyric video for his cypher like single Really Doe, the chosen visuals are ironic to say the least. Sure while the concept of a lyric video is to, well, read lyrics, it seems like that was something that was quickly ignored in favour of aesthetics. Despite this it still comes in hard, reflecting Danny Brown’s psychedelic madness brilliantly with a mix of live footage and videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR_yo8wAgJ4
Clipping – Shooter
Experimental LA trio Clipping returned this year with the heavy Wriggle EP, but luckily for us we have yet another visual from the project. Clipping have always been praised for their unique music videos, and this certainly fits that category. Brilliantly simplistic, yet so entrancing to watch, Shooter is a wonderfully choreographed dance and rhythm-orientated video, which builds upon those themes of violence mentioned within the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm65PCbUMZI
Kid Cudi – Surfin’ ft. Pharell Williams
One of his best collaborations in a minute, Kid Cudi’s Surfin, with the prestigious Pharrell William, is a seriously catchy dance-floor banger, with nods to African and Latin grooves throughout; it’s easy to see how Travi$ Scott looks up to Kid Cudi with this rather similar sound. The video, meanwhile, is just as entrancing, showcasing one big party. With A-class cameos from A$AP Rocky and Jaden Smith, it looks like one hell of a party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5KgsubkMCA
Vic Mensa – 16 Shots
After the release of his incredible EP earlier this year, Vic Mensa has absolutely risen to become one of the strongest voices within the hip-hop community. Now, he’s reinforced this with a video for his powerful single 16 Shots. Vic’s visual accompaniment to the bold track includes some truly incredible cinematography and imagery, which sees him go one on one against the police. Ending with a shocking statement regarding police brutality, the clip closes with real world footage of Laquan McDonald, murdered in the streets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPWXOAYlgOc
Anderson .Paak – Come Down
It’s hard to talk about 2016’s music and not mention Paak, from his endless stream of collaborations, to releasing two albums, one solo and one group (NxWorries with producer Knxwledge), the man is definitely a workaholic. And as if he couldn’t stop there, the man himself has gone and laid down the visuals for one of Malibu’s standouts Come Down. Good vibes and grooves are definitely on offer, with the clip showcasing Paak performing in a smokey club coincidentally referencing Marvin Gaye’s classic I Want You album artwork.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OqrcUvrbRY
Gabriella Cohen – Downtown
After releasing her incredible debut album Full Closure No Details, the similarly marvellous Gabriella Cohen has returned with the visuals one of her standout tracks Downtown. A beautifully melancholic, tangy, guitar driven track, Cohen is one of the most talented Australian artists around right now. The music clip works as a great counterpart to Gabriella’s touching wails, providing a romantic yet sorrowful storyline for the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR_SF2wiGMY
Desiigner – Zombie Walk ft. King Savage
Just in time for the Halloween celebrations, G.O.O.D. music signee Desiigner is keeping his name in circulation with the video release of his EP track Zombie Walk. It’s almost like a short film, where we follow the dabbing king into a zombie apocalypse like scenario. Shifting back and forth between real footage, and anime inspired animation, the track features King Savage, friend and fellow rapper who the track is actually dedicated too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLeMssD0R3Y
Polish Club – Beat Up
Self-directed and full of fuzzed out, low-fi after effects to match, the video for Sydney two-piece Polish Club’s Beat Up is the result of slapping around your mate in front of a green screen and then slapping some effects over the top. Highly textured, the clip embraces technical difficulties and terrible internet connections and is -much like the song- a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHhysr6q1Qo&feature=youtu.be
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Magneto
An excerpt from Andrew Dominik’s (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)’s One More Time With Feeling , the clip for Magneto is haunting and immersive. Shot entirely in stark black and white, the flickering lights project the 3D elements to new heights and create a mesmeric, enveloping sensation as the song unfolds across the five minute insight into the documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4aF-MDumFg&feature=youtu.be
Illy – Catch 22
The follow up to Illy’s hit single Papercut, Catch 22 is such an upbeat track that there was no doubt the video for it needed to be just as vibrant. Enter: a Los Angeles warehouse location, a bunch of old arcade games, some break dancing and a DeLorean. Anne-Marie features both on the track and in the clip as the pair battle it out with friends in the arcade before driving off – presumably into the Downtown L.A nightlife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8laCbHBOrw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmPdWiSpiJw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueTUboa56V0&feature=youtu.be
Wishes – Settle
This week, Sydney indie-dance artist Wishes brings us the video for his sophomore single, the bright, colourful Settle. The video is Auslan inspired and combines quirky dance choreography with Australian Sign Language as dancers perform in various creative spaces. Conceptualised and filmed in Melbourne, the video much like the song, is a joy to behold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTOD4HNvv64&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do98dd12NKM&feature=youtu.be
Image: Polish Club / Supplied
We here at Howl & Echoes have a healthy long term relationship with Foals. Their 2015 album What Went Down was picked apart by some of our best, and the consensus was that it was a masterpiece of a record. We also collectively agree that Spanish Sahara is one of the best indie-rock songs ever released. What Went Down had a few amazing tracks that we’re still dancing to, and a new remix of Night Swimmers by Mura Masa will be keeping us grooving for a while yet.
Hailing from England and just 20 years old, Mura Masa has been making serious waves of late. You might recognise his name from the single Lovesick, which reached the top spot on the Spotify Viral charts in the US and UK. A shot at remixing a band as big and legendary as Foals is pretty great, and his remix does the original track justice.
Where the original was an airy, tropical indie piece, Mura Masa transforms it into a dance floor staple. The best part? None of the initial intricacies are lost – they’ve just evolved into something futuristic and dance-floor ready. Some of the best remixes are those which take a beloved track and transplant it into a totally new environment without necessarily creating something unrecognisable. It’s a great piece, and you can check it out below on Soundcloud, but it’s also on Spotify and Apple Music, so you can add it to your favourite playlists.
Image: Soundcloud
Written by Emma Jones & Lauren Ziegler
Strap in and get ready, guys, we’ve got one hell of a playlist for you today. Featuring the best new music from all over the musical map. Enjoy!
Sam Tiba – Sunshine Pulse (ft SIROJ)
Coinciding with the announcement of a brand spankin’ new EP, Bromance Records’ Sam Tiba has also released a new song. Titled Sunshine Pulse, this track actually has one of the more apt titles I’ve seen in some time. That’s literally what it sounds like. Late-night house at it’s best, Tiba injects some bright warmth into the dark club with this track but it’s not until the very end where things get really interesting.
Jade The Moon – U Take Care
U Take Care is actually Jade The Moon’s third track ever, but between her songwriting, keen production skills and naturally flawless vocals, you’d be forgiven for thinking she had been doing this forever. This song is unassuming, modernised and utilises an eclectic mix of production and instrumentation to create a throbbing, pulsing soundscape that carries Jade The Moon’s voice just so well.
Leisure – Take It To The Top
We featured New Zealand band Leisure last week for what we thought was their latest single, but literally the day after that went live they went and dropped another track because two is always better than one – ESPECIALLY when it comes to Leisure, and even more so again when it sounds like this. This song is groovy as fuck, and Leisure are quickly becoming one of my favourite acts as they continue to outdo themselves with each and every release.
Mura Masa – Love For That (ft Shura)
Two up and comers in their own rights, Mura Masa and Shura are a match made in heaven with this track. Shura’s delicate voice is perfectly suited to Mura Masa’s production techniques. Keeping it light with the percussion and utilising vocal samples, he takes lead from frontrunners like Cashmere Cat whilst putting his own, unique spin on his sounds. This breakdown is one that will have you sidestepping almost immediately.
Feki – Quiet Minds (ft Emily)
Brisbane’s Feki has quickly emerged from SoundCloud semi-obscurity to all out rising star – and with tracks like Quiet Minds, we’re not exactly wondering why. This is an glistening track with an ambient soundscape and playful, twinkling synths adding splashes of colour to the atmosphere. Even when the beat kicks in, that air of sentimentality lingers, altogether creating one genuinely beautiful, emotional release.
Richard In Your Mind – Ecstatic Electricity
Richard In Your Mind is a great band. Any one of their tracks can show you that, especially this one. Returning with a new single and a new string of shows, you can’t help but get a reinvigorated feel from this track, like the band are raring to go again. It’s got pummelling drums, a hook that will get stuck in your head for days and the perfect amount of distortion (a lot).
MED, Blu, Madlib – Finer Things ft. Fonte, Likewise
Yes, there’s more than five people involved in one track. But too many cooks in the kitchen? Not even close. This is a smooth, clear-cut, catchy as hell track from the master collaborators. Backed by a classic, soulful instrumental loop, the understated yet intense verses are rhythmically delicious and and lyrically captivating. If their full collaborative effort, Bad Neighbor (due Oct 30) is anywhere near as good, we’re in for something absolutely stunning.
Lupa J, Dirty Skin
Lupa J returns with this seductive, rich offering of dark electro-pop. I’ve been particularly captivated by the sensual melody, and the instrumental layers that pull and tug at the atmosphere from all sorts of tonal angles. Playing with echoes and harmonies stretch the melody out even more, anchored down by increasingly industrial synths and percussive rhythms. For a 17-year-old, this is bloody impressive.
Plaitum, LMHY
Newcomers Plaitum are serving up what you might expect from a band like M83, if they were releasing music in 2015. With a massive, atmospheric sound and incredibly rich, velvety smooth synths and big, hollowed beats. The vocals lead the way, the angelic breathiness perfectly complements the bulging backdrop, becoming an instrumental layer in itself throughout the chorus. I’m looking forward to hearing more from these guys.
MKO SUN, Michiko
Following in a similar vein to the previous two tracks, MKO SUN’s latest, Michiko, is a really interesting blend of bubblegum-level pop production, and crunchy, deeply industrial synths. Opening on a gorgeous piano line and sparkling clean vocals, we’re immediately, and briefly struck with those huge synth jolts. The track continues to mess around with your expectations, later introducing trap-level bass loops and even heavier, albeit Jai Paul-esque funky synths.