As the year goes on, we continue to be spoiled for choice when it comes to new music. We get it can be hard to sift through the masses to find your favourites, so we’ve done the hard work for you. Check out some of the best songs from last week, all wrapped up in a neat little playlist! Here are some of the best songs from last week, enjoy!
NUSSY, Sinking Into You
Since the release of her debut EP back in 2014, Melbourne electro pop artist Nussy has been forging a path on her own with her eclectic sounds and heavenly voice. Sinking Into You is the first taste we’ve had from her in some time, but it’s definitely well worth the wait. With a lofi almost jungle beat, the bass sways and shifts as layers of vocals swirl and swell. Her poignant lyrics detail a tale as old as time of falling hard for someone, and the track captures this feeling so well. Having already supported the likes of Sophie Lowe, Lanks and Yeo, it’s really only upwards from here for Nussy!
East Of My Youth, Mother
Hailing from Reykjavík, Iceland, East Of My Youth are Thelma Marín Jónsdóttir & Herdís Stefánsdóttir. The duo play melodic, electronic pop and draw influences from various genres and moods; from classical music/film music/ambient to hardcore techno or the weather, and their latest single Mother is a shimmering example of just how fantastic the music is that comes from the top of the globe. Thelma’s voice is powerful and commanding, with influences of the likes of CHVRCHES (although it may be remiss to say they fully sound like them). No, East Of My Youth are in a league of their own, and Mother is a perfect example of how much they have going on for them – and how well it works.
cln, Owls
Brisbane’s cln returns with Owls, serving as a preview of what we can expect from him in the months to come. Delicate, intricate and meticulously produced, cln’s penchant for soft and gentle tunes that put you under a spell continues with this new song, but a certain maturity in his sound is also on display here. Showcasing his diverse vocal abilities as well, he melds a variety of styles into his own future-trap/beat style, complete with laser synth jabs, unpredictable drops and a thumping bass that carries the tune without ever overpowering it. As the track goes along, it’s clear that cln is really starting to hit his stride – a move that will be really exciting to watch unfold.
POPPONGENE, Do It Girl
POPPONGENE (pronounced: pop–pon-jean) is the solo project of Sophie Treloar who plays in Melbourne band Sunbeam Sound Machine, and Do It Girl is the first single from her debut EP. Produced by Skube Burnell (808s and Greatest Hits), mixed by Simon Lam (Kllo, Ills & Nearly Oratorio) & mastered by Mikey Young (Eddy Current, Total Control etc), she’s tapped a who’s who cast of Australian music maestros to bring her project to life, and from the sounds of this, she is really onto something. Drenched in sunny psychedelia, her whispering vocals and soaring harmonies swirling under thick, hazy production with incessant (in a good way) guitar and plenty of effects to give it the sun-drenched nostalgia that I just love. I’m expecting big things from POPPONGENE!
Kuren, Home Ft. Ben Alessi
Rural NSW producer Kuren has delivered another super solid track with this latest single. Teaming up with NYC singer Ben Alessi, the duo vibe with each other hard – Alessi’s voice sublime over Kuren’s skittering, hard hitting production. Demonstrating rapidly maturing skills as a producer, Kuren holds it down with big booms, jabbing synths and guitar notes that make the track race ahead. Set to embark on his first national tour, this song will be an absolute standout in his live show as it sets him apart from the pack into a league of his own (a path he forged initially with his Love Lost EP that has been cemented here). Head here for more info on that and keep both ears pricked for this guy – Kuren is gonna be ha-uuuge!
Phosphene, Silver
With a crunchy, garage-y guitar, honey vocals and a piercing drumbeat, Phosphene deliver big time with Silver. Taken from their latest album, Breaker, this Californian band pay their respects to the frontrunners like Sonic Youth in their music, whilst thinking forward and throwing modern touches at it to bring those sounds into the future. A solid release, Silver and by extension Breaker represent a band fast maturing in themselves and their music, and it’s a sound I really can’t get enough of. Keep up to date with them on their Soundcloud and Facebook, as these guys are well worth your time!
Rainbow Chan, Last
Rainbow Chan makes music that doesn’t really fit anywhere, and that’s one of her biggest strengths. Last is her latest tune and it’s a doozy. With vocals that will embed themselves in your brain, eclectic and exciting production and pop sensibilities with futuristic touches, Rainbow Chan transcends genres to make her own sound – and I’m all about it. Incredibly intricate, it’s a gift that keeps on giving as more and more is revealed with each listen. Taken from her forthcoming debut LP out (hopefully) soon, I get the feeling Rainbow Chan is only just hitting her stride now, and that is saying something!
LA Witch, Drive Your Car
Los Angeles all girl trio LA Witch shared a double single release last year, featuring this bad boy and another track, Ain’t Comin Home, and I haven’t been able to stop listening to either. Surf rock meets punk meets garage and so much more, LA Witch go to town on Drive Your Car. Complete with searing guitar, woozy vocals and just enough cymbal crashes to make it really thrashy, they have so much going on but maintain total control throughout. The heavy bassline and moody vocals make for an attitude-laden track with more than a few punches packed, and will certainly see the girls pick up more than a few new fans along the way.
DEEDS, Exile
Brisbane band DEEDS comes from the now defunct indie ten piece, Inland Sea. Having spent a few years apart finding themselves, four of the original members have now once again joined forces, and I’m really glad they did. Sharing their latest single, Exile, the four piece are making just as excellent music as they did four years ago, but with a slightly different style. Working in the heavier rock area of indie music, DEEDS once again show off their aptitude for hard hitting lyrics, galloping drums and sublime guitars to reach new heights they haven’t seen before with this kind of music. Self described as “the National on blue meth,” these guys may just be starting out but they’re already sounding awesome. I’m definitely keeping an eye on DEEDS!
Finally, the weekend is here, and it’s a long one at that! Thankfully, we have once again pulled through to bring you the top 10 new tracks that have dropped this week. There is a really good mix here, from sultry pop to delicate piano numbers, peculiar electro, shoegaze, late night club jams and – of course – some Killer Mike. TGIF!
1. Sofi de la Torre – Lovers Work Late
Lifted from her forthcoming EP Vermillion, this is one rising pop star that isn’t messing around. She’s already had nods from Paramore and Grimes, as well as a lot of Internet love. If you listen to her tracks, you’ll know why. Her honeyed voice and sultry lyrics paired with pop styled production makes for an incredibly enjoyable experience.
2. Adria – Falling
Perth singer Adria has just dropped her debut EP, Shell, and Falling is her latest single. Beautiful and delicate piano is juxtaposed with her incredible vocal range, as it soars with incredible passion before dropping to a faint whisper. Wait ’til you get to the end and try not to melt. Stunning.
3. Late Night Hysterics – Moondance
Following on in our Perth love this week is the new track from local heroes Late Night Hysterics. Labelling it as “Atmospheric Electronic”, they’re not too far off the mark with this new track. Epic, sprawling and captivating, Moondance is one massive track that I was enthralled in from the first listen.
4. Fieldings – A Pleasant Stutter
Sydneysider Fieldings has been kicking around for about a year under this current moniker (she was formerly known as The Understudy), but her simplisitic, less-is-more approach makes her sound like she’s been doing this since forever. A Pleasant Stutter is understated cool, featuring sounds from a Dulwich Hill thunderstorm and a car safety PSA from the 70s, wicked vocals, thumping beats and what sounds like a wall of fuzz descending on your ears.
5. Left. – Liquor Lip Loaded Gun (Sticky Fingers cover)
I’m not the biggest fan of Sticky Fingers, but I could be if they started sounding like this! Intricate, experimental and sweeping, this cover is a tremendous effort and has been on repeat for quite a while now. I really love artists that completely overhaul the track their covering to make it their own, and Left. has done this and more with Liquor Lip Loaded Gun.
6. Sea Moya – Do Things
Psychedelic beat trio hailing from Germany Sea Moya make some of the most interesting sounds I’ve heard in quite some time. Do Things is one of those tracks that makes you sit up and listen, with it’s originality and fresh take on electronica that I just can’t get enough of!
7. MNDR & Killer Mike – Lock & Load
We also have a separate post on this bad boy, but it’s just too cool not to cover. Two of my favourite artists in the game teaming up for one of the most bad ass songs to be released this year, MNDR and Killer Mike both shine on Lock & Load (I actually think it’s impossible for Killer Mike NOT to shine). The gangsta beat with the echoing, almost creepy synth lines provide the perfect bed for MNDR’s sexy as hell vocals and Killer Mike’s epic verse.
8. Phosphene – Be Mine
US rockers Phosphene are back with another killer track in Be Mine. Sticking to their guns, this shoegaze number shines a great light on their lead female vocalist and features a pretty killer guitar solo. This is tipped to be included on their new EP coming out later this year, which has us very excited indeed to hear what’s still to come.
9. LUCIANBLOMKAMP – Help Me Out (Rat & Co Remix)
I fucking love LUCIANBLOMKAMP. He is one of the most exciting electronic artists in the Australian scene, and he continues to deliver excellent tracks. Help Me Out has featured heavily in my most played tracks lately, so it’s pretty awesome to see fellow local electronic heroes Rat & Co jumping on remix duties. Bringing jazz into the fray, they give this twisted, dark track some soul with it’s hip hop backbeat. Also that breakdown is what dreams are made of.
10. The Completely Boys – Hard 4 U
This is the collaborative project of Sweat It Out! Music alum Frames and his friend from bass lords B.O.O.M.A. As someone who is no stranger to late nights in the club, this is the kind of music that speaks to me on another level. The perfect tracks for those 3am times when your body is aching from the heaving bass you just experience and you don’t want to go home just yet, these guys are the new kings of late night club jams.
First week back, and already we’re seeing some great releases this week! We’ve found the best for our weekly playlist, which has come just in time for your weekend!
Phosphene, Silver
US rockers Phosphene are kicking things off with this pearler. Shoegaze at it’s best, Silver is a sweet little number with dreamy female vocals and heavenly arrangements. At 2:42, things get really cool with an instrumental breakdown and those sweet, sweet vocal melodies.
Arctic Maps, The Ocean Is My Cathedral
Similar to London Grammar, Arctic Maps‘ new tune The Ocean Is My Cathedral is a beautiful little song featuring soft vocals and atmospheric vibes. The duo play with light and dark here as the track trickles along, with darker arrangements swirling under the surface.
Drake, Jhene Aiko, From Time (KRNE x Portrait Edit)
KRNE and Portrait‘s take on one of my favourite tracks from Drake‘s album Nothing Was The Same is glitchy and sparse, combining the strongest sides of both artists. It’s no secret we’re fans of KRNE here, and this song reiterates how good this guy is!
Water Strider, White Light
Shimmering, chilled out, powerful – three words to sum up this track. It’s dynamic and vibrant, and has a lot going on! Math rock guitars, jungle vibes in the rhythm section, falsettos and funky twists; this one is a winner!
Real Slow, Girl U Know
Real Slow cherry picks his way through the trending electronic genres to create a sound that is his own. Tropical house, hip hop beats, Girl U Know is packed full of good vibes and is another big step forward for the Australian producer.
Midoca, Gotta Go
Midoca‘s Gotta Go is one of the most intriguing tracks I’ve heard in a while. Soulful vocal samples, glitchy synth samples, crashing cymbals, then whirling atmospheric vibes – it’s a little left field, but try getting it out of your head!
prints_, Ghosts
You can’t NOT compare these guys to Purity Ring, but once you get past that you open a whole new world of spooky, dreamy electronica that is begging for your attention. Brooding and eerie, the song is as mysterious as the duo themselves, who seem to vanish from the Internet when it suits them and only reappearing when they’ve made another gem of this otherworldly pop (last time if was for two years!)
Lxury, Let Down
A modern take on classic house, it’s no wonder this song was the first to be featured on Annie Mac‘s Free Music Mondays on BBCR1. Not unlike Gold Panda‘s stylings, Lxury makes this his own with his looping and chopping. 2015 looks pretty damn good for this guy!
Action Bronson, Actin Crazy
The first track of Action Bronson‘s upcoming album, Actin Crazy is produced by renowned hitmaker Noah “40” Shebib, so it’s safe to say it’s gonna be good! It’s dripping with Bronson’s signature badass style, and is raising the bar for his album. We can’t wait!
ESESE, Aintno ft Hancoq
We featured this song earlier this week, but I think it deserves another mention. Packed to the brim with super cool vibes, Hancoq is just the best in this track. The soulful chorus with a surprise brass section and the hook, “Ain’t no stoppin’, ain’t no stoppin’ me” is guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days – not that we’re complaining!