Here we are at yet another tail-end of what’s been a horribly cold week in most of Australia. But while the weather might be freezing our toes, the tunes are still flowing freely and warming us right up like a hot cuppa. We do our best to cover as much great new music as we can each week, and here’s a playlist of some of our favourite new tracks that we haven’t shared yet.
Enjoy!
- Rumours, So Bad
We’re starting this week’s playlist with So Bad, a gorgeous, soulful track from the trio of Norwegian and Italian artists, and features on their new EP Shapes. The track particularly highlights the marriage of male and female vocals; Mark’s low voice is rich and full of deep-seated sensuality, while Marion’s is glistening and smooth, traipsing from note to note with honeyed fluidity. - Hockey Dad, Jump the Gun
Hockey Dad return with the perfect track to get the weekend started. as explained by drummer Billy Fleming, “this was written in my room while staring at my Endless Summer II poster, one of our favourite surf movies all the time. The lyrics spiraled off the line “on any day of the year, it’s summer somewhere in the world”. - Vacances, Only You
Vacances (pronounced ‘vacancies’) new track is bright and immediately catchy, with big, bold vocals and warm guitars that ring out and fill up the soundscape, occasionally inflected by synths and bustling percussion. This is their first single, and will be followed up by an EP later this year. - Alice Ivy, Almost Here ft. RaRa
Melbourne’s Alice Ivy returns with a HUGE new track, laden with incredibly funky saxes, wicked guitars and brilliant vocals from both herself and guest artist RaRa. Every single pocket of air is filled with sound, making for one damn enjoyable song from the electro-soul artist. I love absolutely everything about this track, and can’t wait for more. - Litche, Look Up
The opening notes of this song are immediately, powerfully magnetising, crawling right under my skin as new layers of percussion and synth loops slowly build the atmosphere. It breaks into an incredibly smooth, syncopated beat, and continues to play with sound, space and rhythm throughout. I absolutely love instrumental tracks like this. - Thelonious Martin, Bomaye ft. Joey Purp
This week’s Adult Swim Single comes from Savemoney producer Thelonious Martin, atop which Joey Purp shows us what the hype’s all about. The production is brilliant – big, bold and brash, with temperate beats making for a cool contrast against Purp’s wildly impassioned bars. There’s a nice little sample breakdown midway, and once we’re back on board, Purp really flexes his flow – this is a remarkably impressive song. Martin’s dropping his own project, Late Night Programming, later this year – do not sleep on it. - BV, Huh
Formerly known as Black Vanilla, BV return today with their first song of 2016. Huh is a big, many-layered tune that I’ve now spun for about half an hour straight and I still can’t get enough. Deep and seductive, the huge beat and trappy vibes are softened to perfection by Marcus Whale’s stunning vocals. In their own words, the song “is about the world we surround ourselves in. Somehow, while we’re passively summoning our own destruction, we can be optimistic by making ourselves collective, creating solidarity.” - Porsches, Blood to a Shark
Sydney duo Porsches are back with a thumping new tune, Blood to a Shark. I’m not usually a fan of dance stuff around this tempo (a strange comment, I am aware), but the track is packed with shimmering melodies,airy, stretched out synths and a dance-floor ready rhythm that you can’t help but bop along to. It’s already stuck in my head and I feel like it’ll be there for a while. - Flyying Colours, It’s Tomorrow Now
I’ll be honest: I have never listened to Flyying Colours before. But now that I’ve heard this phenomenal new track, the Melbourne band have themselves a huge new fan. Straight away you’re thrust into a heavy as fuck riff, before breathy vocals and a psychedelic melody take centre stage. And that solo? Screeeeech! I can’t wait to explore more on their newly announced debut album, due out in September. This is definitely my favourite track of the week. - Safia, Over You
Finally this week comes a brand new tune from Canberra’s own Safia, and I gotta say, it is damn good. Their sound continues to refine as they progress as a group, and this is one of their best tracks yet. The vocals in particular are spooky and theatrical, a great contrast to the big, bumpin’ bass. They’ve also finally announced their long-awaited debut album Internal, and if this is anything to go by then we’re in for an incredible Australian release come September 9.
Note this track isn’t in the playlist below – listen here.
Image: Flyying Colours – Supplied
It’s video roundup time! Once again, Howl And Echoes are coming in hot with the freshest, most eyeball-stimulating music videos to be dropped by the artists you love and some of the artists you don’t know you love yet this week. We do all the dirty work and herd them all into one convenient web-based location for you to enjoy every Friday so that you don’t have to. Have yourself a good old gander at the latest offerings from:
Boys Noize – Starchild (ft. Poliça)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJCVEGvNOZc&feature=youtu.be
With fourth album Mayday just weeks away, Berlin producer Boys Noize has released the third track from that record this week Starchild. Featuring Minneapolis synth pop stars Poliça, it’s a floating, ambient track with an onion’s worth of different layers and sounds.
The video, directed by LIL INTERNET, stars Poliça frontwoman Channy Leaneagh wandering through the Miami nightlife in a clear rain poncho to a lot of inquisitive looks. Ethereal and spacy, it’s a heck of a song and video and only builds upon the already sky-high anticipation surrounding the way forward for Boys Noize.
Mayday is out May 20th on Pod via Inertia.
Third Floor – You Are The One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvu6telxp4&feature=youtu.be
This is the third in a four-part audiovisual EP series from Sydney-via-Britain producer Third Floor, also known as Aaron Bannie. Dream State is his debut record and is embracing the increasingly cinematic aspects of music. The track has an 80s pop feel to it, click percussion and big synths abound with wavy warped out vocals making for a catchy hook.
The video continues the story of protagonist Rose, whose day takes a rather harrowing turn after breakfast and a trip to the beach. We won’t spoil it, but the combination of gorgeous synth pop and a dark, twisting tale are incredibly compelling.
We’re hanging on for the sure-to-be-big finale of Dream State
Pikelet – The Neighbour’s Grass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCMiQkp6Qj8&feature=youtu.be&mc_cid=d3e25678a8&mc_eid=2a33deb84d
Winning the award for most delicious name this week is Melbourne’s Pikelet, also known as Evelyn Morris. She’s back with a brand new record in Tronc and has this week released a video from one of its tracks in The Neighbour’s Grass. Weird beats and noises scuttle behind vocals both spoken and sung, there’s a ghostly piano interlude and the sound of dishes clinking, the futuristic and the mundane mingling to surprisingly great effect.
The video looks like the testing stages of a glitchy Playstation game from the late 90s, with floating heads and blurry dancing figures making the entire experience as off-kilter as it gets.
Tronc is out digitally and on cassette tape May 6th via Chapter Music.
SAFIA – Make Them Wheels Roll
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ShOCwyT5cE
Heading to the nation’s capital for this next one with the latest single from Canberra electronic band SAFIA. Just days away from kicking off their tour of the further-flung reaches of the country as part of the Groovin’ The Moo festival, the trio have this week released the video for latest single Make Them Wheels Roll.
Slick, soulful and driving, it’s in surefire consideration already for a certain list celebrated on Australia Day. That falsetto chorus is utterly breathtaking by the way. The video, directed by Jimmy Ennett uses a whole lot of water as the protagonist, a common corporate drone, finds himself in, around and under it in some amazing shots.
Catch SAFIA at Groovin’ The Moo this weekend and next and then headlining their own tour around Australia launching Make Them Wheels Roll.
Jarbird – Iona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvCpPj4djGk
From the week before but too good not to share is the latest video from London band Jarbird. Iona is the latest single from their debut EP Such Is The House, which dropped back on March 5th to some excellent reviews. Quirky rhythms build up to a heavenly chorus, a whirlwind of different sounds all melded together intricately to create some of the cleverest pop you’ll hear all week.
The video unfurls in quite the same way, beginning in black and white with colours trickling in as the song twists and turns. They’re only new on the block but Jarbird are an act to keep an eye on.
Such Is The House is out now via Oskar.
Clea – Dire Consequences
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we-Hfxup5KI&feature=youtu.be
I always love featuring artists from my local Brisbane in this roundup and songstress Clea is the best from this week. Dire Consequences is a song you’ve probably heard either on the airwaves or Spotify, where it climbed to #14 on the viral charts. Stunning is the best way to describe it, I get definite Christine McVie vibes immediately, almost like the song belongs in the middle of Tango In The Night. It’s dusky and enchanting and the chorus just throttles you.
The video places the focus squarely on Clea, crooning into the camera in the dark amid showers of glitter. Add Clea to the list of phenomenal singer-songwriters coming out of Brisbane at the moment. If she’s got more of these thought-provoking lyrics and expertly-crafted melodies up her sleeve she is going to be a big name in years to come.
High Violet – Only Heart
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeyznxOAwHA
Moving south of the border for our penultimate video is the debut track from Sydneysiders High Violet. The male and female vocal harmonies interplay tremendously, it’s charged up pop rock that sounds like it should soundtrack an 80s movie montage where the main character is toughening up.
The video was shot in High Violet’s garage, replete with music posters everywhere and an old Pac Man arcade machine that plays the original Alien vs Predator (fuck!). High Violet just… they just rock, and the sky is the limit following a debut as auspicious as this.
The Murlocs – Unknown Disease
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iot_gMqf6mU&feature=youtu.be
Wrapping up this week are one of my favourite bands in Geelong psychedelic rockers The Murlocs and their newest single Unknown Disease. It’s their latest release following their stellar sophomore LP Young Blindness that landed in March of this year.
With freaky fuzzed out guitars from a bygone era and the inimitable squawk of frontman Ambrose Kenny-Smith leading the way, Unknown Disease is one of Young Blindness’ standouts. The accompanying video is an acid trip and a fever dream of kaleidoscopic and amorphous animations over lo-fi footage of the band, the sickness described in the title is splattered all over this fantastic number. 2016 is the year of The Murlocs for sure.
Young Blindness is out now via Flightless/Remote Control.
Safia have been tearing their way through the Australian music scene in recent months. After releasing just five songs, they managed to sell out three consecutive nights at Sydney’s Factory Theatre, where they played on Thursday. But their warm up act may have risen to success even quicker.
Little more than one year ago, Boo Seeka hadn’t yet even indulged the possibility of making music together. But one year on and one massive single later, the boys have already completed a European tour with a national tour on the cards.
With drinks flowing at the Factory Theatre, Boo Seeka ripped through their set in front of a packed crowd. Discharging a disarming beat as they oozed with confidence, they played their famed single Kingdom Leader while also treating the crowd to a taste of their new material. Throughout their set, they expertly layered textured synth with deceptive hip-hop and R&B influences and roused the crowd with vocals tinged with an unusual twang.
By the time Safia came on stage to a room plunged in darkness, excitement levels were peaking. An enormous metronome ticked menacingly on stage and I couldn’t shake the feeling I was rapidly becoming the subject of a horror movie. The human cross goat people projected onto the screen behind the stage didn’t exactly help. From the outset, it was obvious this show would be as much about the performance and visuals as it would about the music.
At first I was slightly disappointed to hear a mere voiceover, when Safia frontman Ben Woolner kicked off the concert with Counting Sheep. That is, until I realised it wasn’t one. In reality, in a night where haunting electronic voices mingled with Ben’s own outrageous vocals, Safia proved they are far and away one of the best upcoming bands in Australia.
With lines such as “don’t fall asleep”, it was comforting that they played Counting Sheep early in the night to give some people a fighting a chance to sleep that night. While Counting Sheep demonstrates the band’s brilliant artistry, it does nothing to show Ben’s voice off. This voice would become the highlight of the night and what makes Safia so recognisable.
Their remix of Aston Shuffle’s Tear It Down came next. The trio were blasted with audience’s screams of “I’m going to tear it down”, as well as a bra that appeared from nowhere.
With the crowd suitably pumped, they trialled one of their new songs. It’s a luxury for those watching that unlike more established bands, new songs don’t come at the expense of old favourites. As Ben crooned about his “home heart”, my Canberra pride reached a new level. A town known for little other than politicians and the cold, Safia have always been a point of pride for Canberrans. The song was almost operatic, with Ben reaching ridiculous heights with his voice with apparent ease.
You Are The One revealed the couples in the audience, as well as those who weren’t quite comfortable enough yet to be seen as couples. Take Me Over sent the room into a club atmosphere and I couldn’t help but fantasise about a night out with Safia as DJs. People attempted to sing along, but in reality it sounded more like a chorus of drunken ambulances. Probably best to leave it to the band next time, guys.
They walked off stage briefly after a pretty poor attempt at convincing us it was the end of the show. Nobody moved a muscle. A light show summoned their return, where they nailed their new single Embracing Me. Knowing the night was coming to a end, the crowd energised for the last song Paranoia, Ghosts and Other Sounds. The last words of the song rang true “can you hear me now?” With an audience literally screaming in approval for over a minute, and the boys awkwardly standing there lapping it up, the world can definitely hear Safia. And we like what we hear.
Ubiquitous Canberra trio SAFIA have added further dates to their extensive and tremendously popular national tour, which kicks off with a maiden Splendour in the Grass performance later this month. The announcement comes on the back of sold out performances in Sydney and Melbourne, as well as a glowing response to their latest offering, Embracing Me.
Despite being consistently labelled a boring politicians’ paradise, Canberra has produced a number of world-class electronic acts in recent years. SAFIA are the latest and, in my mind, the most engaging of these acts, joining the likes of Peking Duk and The Aston Shuffle amid the cream of Australia’s EDM crop.
Structurally, Embracing Me traces the steps of Listen to Soul, Listen to Blues and You Are the One, but by no means are SAFIA packaging tunes from a factory line. Rather, they’ve simply found a blueprint that works: Ben Woolner‘s earnest, fluttering vocals – steady and isolated at first – blended with crisp production and mesmerising hooks. Basically, after several tender, soulful moments with Ben, it’s dancing time.
The significant demand for tickets to SAFIA’s shows are a testament to the band’s talent, industry and musical intelligence. They know what they do well, and they continue to do it – time and time again.
Tickets for SAFIA’s Embracing Me tour are available here.
This week’s playlist is one that will chill you out more than the harsh Australian winter. It’s made up of absolutely sublime songs from a great mix of artists, from the sophisticated to the soulful. Happy Friday!
Airling – Stallin’
Brisbane singer Hannah Shepherd, also known as Airling released her EP Ouroboros last year, but has had a bit of time off recently. However, that all changed this week with the release of a new track, Stallin’. Featuring a VERY different sound for the artist, this track is smooth, sexy and sophisticated, drawing influence from the R&B greats. Although it may have come as a surprise to the Airling faithful, there is no denying her voice is perfectly suited to this style. Let’s hope we hear more of this in the very near future!
Leo Kalyan – Golden Age
Leo Kalyan has been on my radar for a few months, and if he’s not on yours yet this song will surely change that! The London singer is about to drop a new EP titled Silver Linings at the end of this month, and his incredibly smooth voice is on full display with Golden Age. The layering and dynamics in the song are powerful, emotive and so strong, but also conducted in a way that is calming in the way it floats along. Sublime.
Slow Turismo – I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up
I’m not easily impressed when it comes to indie rock, but something about the Slow Turismo guys just gets me. Maybe it’s the way they fit about four songs in one, maybe it’s that lead vocal, or the way they work seamlessly together to let their songs grow and breathe, but there is definitely something about them that does it for me and their new single, I Sit Down As Soon As I Get Up is another excellent example of this!
Roseau – New Glass
Roseau has already worked with Lapalux, been included on Bonobo‘s Late Night Tales, has toured with Lianne La Havas, and has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy. Not too bad for someone who is still yet to release their debut album! However, the wait for that is soon to be over, with the release of New Glass and the confirmation that her album, Salt is on the way! If you’ve not heard of her, New Glass is a perfect way to be introduced. Unpredictable, alive and packed with enough party vibes that it could get any dancefloor going, I was hooked from about 10 seconds in.
Gypsy & The Cat + Client Liaison – Evolution
Two of Australia’s greatest acts of the last 10 years have teamed up and, after teasing fans for a while, they have finally released their first collaborative track. Heralding their return to the scene, Gypsy & The Cat have found perfect musical harmony in Client Liaision, and Evolution is all I thought it would be and more. Showcasing both duos great strengths (they both have many), the track is predictably high energy, powerful and so much fun, but now all it’s got me doing is hoping for a joint tour! (Hint, hint).
Cleopold – Down In Flames
You might recognise Cleopold’s voice from Cassian‘s Running or Miami Horror‘s Love Like Mine, but now it’s time for this singer/songwriter to go it alone with the release of his debut single, Down In Flames. Having signed to Chet Faker‘s label Details Co., he has definitely taken some influence from his labelhead when it comes to this song, but has done enough to distance himself and create a sound entirely his own. He is set to record his debut album later this year, and that is one record I can’t wait to hear!
I’lls – Keep
I’lls are one of those groups that continually, without fail, out do themselves with every release. Keep is the latest addition in this trend, and once again the boys have stepped up even further. This is the second single from their forthcoming EP Can I Go With You To Go Back To My Country (out next week via Solitaire Recordings), and has only added to our anticipation of it’s release. Totally lush, this beautiful track caresses you and makes you feel okay. We cannot wait to see these three in action at Splendour later this month!
Safia – Embracing Me
It’s no secret that Safia are onto something really good, and have had a huge last few months. Now, with the release of their new single, Embracing Me, they can probably expect even more. The kaleidoscopic breakdown, the warm chorus that has come just in time for the Australian winter, the infectious melody – Safia have once again flexed their musical skills and remain forerunners in the electronic/indie game.
Statik Selektah – All You Need Ft. Action Bronson, Ab-Soul & Elle Varner
Yes, we covered this track already, but it’s so damn good it can’t not be in this week’s playlist. Bronson and Ab-Soul shine through with their verses, and the beautiful, swelling, jazzy, soulful vibes from Selektah are like a dream. Elle Varner’s electrifying voice gives the track even more life, but it really comes down to Selektah’s flawless production that makes the track what it really is.
Manor – Can You Hear Me Talking At You
Melbourne duo Manor released this bad boy just yesterday, and we are so glad they did. Enchanting and soft vocals, hypnotic melodies and searing guitars, Can You Hear Me Talking At You is one of the more beautiful tracks I’ve heard in quite some time. Mixed by Gareth Jones (Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) in Shoreditch, London and mastered by Joe Lambert (Animal Collective, Unknown Mortal Orchestra) in Brooklyn, NYC, that would probably explain the worldly feel to the song – mature, self-assured and although seemingly tough, quite sweet and gentle as well.
With Splendour in the Grass headlining acts like Blur, Florence + The Machine, Of Monsters And Men and The Wombats to name just a few, smaller, lesser known acts have big expectations to live up to.. But hey, that doesn’t mean they can’t fulfill them, hell, even smash it out of the ballpark.
I often think the smaller acts during the day or in the early evening are the best. In fact, my favourite performance of last year was on the last day of Splendour 2014, watching Chrome Sparks play to a tiny, worn out crowd of devoted revelers. It was such an incredible, happy experience for me, and definitely one of my best Splendour mems.
These lesser-known artists often cater to a very niche, dedicated group of fans who will show up rain or shine to see them. And plus, the benefits of being in a smaller crowd means that you can have a stronger connection to act you’re seeing.
So now we launch into a list of non-headliners who we can’t wait to see perform at Splendour in the Grass 2015. Most of these acts are playing Splendour in the Grass sideshows too, so jump on those if you can’t make it to Byron Bay!
- Dune Rats (Saturday)
You can assume that any band that makes a song called Dalai Lama Big Banana Marijuana, and a music video, which includes them smoking, bong after bong, gives absolutely zero fucks about, oh well, just about anything.
But it also means they are a really good time. Fans of the Dune Rats (calling themselves ‘Dunies’) are so dedicated to the band that they will get tattoos saying the aforementioned to forever immortalise their love for the trio.
We can’t make this shit up
They will definitely make for one of the most bangin’ acts there. Don’t believe us? Check out their red hot music video for Red Light Green Light below.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAkBYSbMYA8&w=560&h=315]
Check out our interview with them here.
- Years and Years (Saturday)
Burning up the charts with their hit King, British electronica trio Years & Years is definitely an act not to miss. Frontman Olly Alexander’s impressive vocals will have you attempting to reach the same heights as him, only to fail miserably, because let’s face it – who can actually sing that high? Singing’s not his only talent – he appeared on the seventh seasons of Skins Pure.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_uoH6hJilc&w=560&h=315]
- Safia (Saturday)
Which big Aussie act hasn’t collaborated with Canberra three-piece Safia yet? The dumb ones, that’s who. Since winning Triple J’s Groovin’ the Moo competition back in 2013, the Canberrians have gone form strength to strength.
Included by the likes of Alison Wonderland and Peking Duk into their works, perhaps we can hope to see an onstage performance between the aforementioned?After all they’re also appearing at Splendour, so we may be getting a triple dose of Safia and his hauntingly beautiful vocals.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv_FnbBqnWs&w=560&h=315]
- Hayden James (Saturday)
Sydney Singer/songwriter/producer Hayden James is just more evidence of the amazing electronic acts coming out of Oz in recent years. His works have been remixed by fellow electronic demi-gods Touch Sensitive and Charles Murdoch, and track Permission to Love created some serious buzz when it was released.
Signed to the music label with the Midas touch, Future Classic, he’s toured with ODESZA and already played at Splendour in the past, so James is definitely an easy predication for awesomeness.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mVJJvx04_w&w=560&h=315]
- Mansionair (Friday)
Oh. My. God. I am literally obsessed with this band. Their two releases Hold Me Down and Second Night are just so incredibly beautiful to listen to. Jack Frogatt’s vocals soar to incredible heights with members Lachlan Bostock and Alex Nicholls using a ethereal, magical blend of guitar, bass and electronics to create something so beautiful and enchanting. If their recent performance for Triple J’s Like a Version, covering Future Islands Waiting On You, is anything to go by, they will be show stopping live.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5AInHhyXzE&w=560&h=315]
- Porter Robinson (Friday)
This guy achieved international superstardom by the time he was 18 and three of his records had reached number one on Beatport by the time he was 21. He’s collaborated with Thomas Jack and ODESZA, been commissioned by Avicii and Lady Gaga for official remixes and is a self-taught producer.
Needless to say, Porter Robinson is kinda a big deal. With millions of streams on Spotify and SoundCloud, and a song like the one below, he’s going to be fucking incredible live.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/200818581″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
- San Cisco (Friday)
An easy prediction for greatness here. Their performances at Groovin’ the Moo and at my uni were incredible. They give their all and sound great live with their effusive brand of charming indie-pop. Definitely catch them when they play for their acclaimed hits like Awkward and their excellent cover of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLCaVZ3fmU0&w=560&h=315]
- Catfish and the Bottlemen (Friday)
The best British indie-rock group to come out in years, Catfish and the Bottlemen put in 110% effort for every performance, just read our review of them here.
The charming lead vocalist and guitarist Van McCann’s crowd interaction will leave you guffawing, and their feel good, old-school rock will have you jumping up and down for the entire set. Despite their modesty and self-proclaimed mediocrity, they really bring something special and genuine to all of their performances.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrrcVxnjJO8&w=560&h=315]
- George Maple (Friday)
The beautiful and very talented George Maple always puts on a good show. How could you not with those powerful, soaring vocals, amazing wardrobe and Touch Sensitive on keyboard? She is, without a doubt, the Next Big Thing coming out of the Australian music scene.
Why you ask? Take a look at her hauntingly beautiful live recording of her song Vacant Space, which sounds like a manifestation of the name of the song itself.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcRnr7HlkqA&w=560&h=315]
Having had seen her play at the Future Classic Xmas Party, I can attest to the fact that she is a genuinely talented and beguiling as she seems. And Future Classic has very good track record of picking up and representing hugely talented artists. Flume anyone?
- Client Liaison (Friday)
Holy shit. If I could stress that you absolutely go and see one band, it would be these guys. You simply have to catch these 80s revivalists live. When you think of someone putting on a show, these are the kinds of artists who do it. They do not mimic the whole 80’s thing – they live, breathe and eat it. They inhabit it. Their performance at Secret Garden Festival was one of the best things I’ve ever seen full stop.
These guys are the real deal
Lead vocalist Monte Morgan strutted across the stage like he invented the damn thing. A bevy of aerobics-clad dancers with their leotards pulled up eye-wateringly high, mirrored his swagger, while Triple J’s Tom Tilley was killed it bass.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVv79XEent8&w=560&h=315]
Simply a must see. Above all, they are hella fun. Don’t believe us? Check out our review of their Pretty Lovers tour here, and our interview with them here.
Canberra’s electronic three-piece SAFIA have dropped the music video for their latest, most chilling song yet; Counting Sheep. Taken straight from the pages of a horror novel, the song alone can induce some form of paranoia – let alone the music video.
The video begins with a call-out to Canberrans, with a landscape of the curiously waterless Lake George. The video takes place on the edge of the lake at a Stop Revive Survive station on a highway which is a good start for a horror movie which is already terrifying enough after dark. While voice-overs warn ‘don’t fall asleep’, a goulish person emerges from a chained box in the back of a open truck. The ghoul is met by men in black as they emerge from dark cars and are quickly transfixed by the ghoul.
Sound a little unbelievable? Watch it yourself.
It’s yet another step in the right direction for SAFIA, whose brand of electronic music is increasingly being noticed nationally. While a different flavour from their earlier songs such as Listen to Soul, Listen to Blues it has clearly worked, with Counting Sheep being their most popular song yet.
Just don’t watch it before bed.
Adria, Falling
Perth’s Adria (named after the Adriatic Sea) has now released the video for Falling, an otherworldly exploration of sound and rhythm. The dark clip is largely black and white, featuring the singer swimming and singing with grace and emotion. It’s an intimate, interesting clip – the perfect complement to the introverted, beautiful song.
Safia, Counting Sheep
The Canberra trio are back with the video for Counting Sheep. Directed by the , who also directed the post-apocalyptic clip for You Are The One. The spooky clip is eerie and somehow evokes a horror-movie vibe; you never know if something horrible is just about to happen. While this is, admittedly, my least favourite Safia song so far, this is a wholly entertaining video clip.
Szymon, Golden
It can’t be easy to create a video clip for a song that’s been released posthumously, but the beautiful work created for Szymon’s Golden is wonderful. Directed by Emile Frederick, the surreal, intimate clip was filmed in Scotland, with the idea that it’s set in an alternate reality where the sun rises once every 23 years, and is therefore considered a rare, beautiful phenomenon. Vast landscapes and dark blue hues give way to blinding light and fantastical surreality. It’s warm and somehow devastating at the same time.
Tired Lion, I Don’t Think You Like Me
Switching it up a bit, here’s Tired Lion’s video clip for the fuzzy, female-fronted indie punk single. The clip itself is really fun, a visual collage of their experiences on tour – from drinking in hotels to being live on stage, driving around and… eating soup. The track is really refreshing – the sound is bright and exciting, with heavy grunge guitars and wicked vocals. Looking forward to hearing more from these guys!
Darts, Aeroplane
We recently wrote about Darts’ wonderful new track Aeroplane, and now we’ve got a clip to go along with it. The grainy clip is really quite surreal, with the lead star walking for quite some distance to a house, only to see its residents (who are the band members, by the way) deliver her one hell of a death stare. So she leaves, eventually heading to a smoke-filled house party – only to be again confronted by the death stare crew. She later encounters them AGAIN atop a car in the street. Creepy.
Ty Dolla $ign, Drop That Kitty ft. Tinashe and Charli XCX
Well, this is just a bit of fun. Not exactly fitting in with the indie vibe of the above tracks, the high-end clip is tonnes of expensive fun. Ty Dolla’s awfully auto-tuned verses feature him driving around in a car, while Charli XCX walks and rides on a weird tricycle, next to two women with huge cat heads photoshopped onto them. Then you have Tinashe doing a sexy dance, with two backup dancers who, you guessed it, also have weird cat faces. This is just a fucking weird and funny clip. Watch it.
J Cole, Wet Dreamz
I’ve saved the best for last. We loved J Cole’s album Forest Hills Drive, and now we’ve got the video clip for his second single, Wet Dreamz. The track features a special kind of star – the four-egged furry kind! The clip begins with Cole walking a gorgeous canine, and the clip goes on to tell the tale of two lovestruck dogs. The track itself is about how he’s a virgin, and is about to lose, but doesn’t want her to know. Hilarious and incredibly cute all at once – and the excellent soundtrack doesn’t hurt. My favourite this week for sure!
Darts
Friday means one thing and one thing only here at Howl & Echoes – playlist day! We have spent all week compiling this week’s best releases and narrowing it down to just 10 songs we think you need to hear. This week, there’s a lot going on. We’ve got Canberra’s Safia, the tragically beautiful track from Szymon, and a Cyril Hahn take on a Caribou classic, as well as a bit of hip hop from JayCee, MIA, Bon Voyage, and another Notorious BIG mashup. In between all that you can be taken away to a dreamier place with Genghar or Sofi de la Torre, and get down to an amazing cover by Winter Islands. Enjoy!
1. Safia – Counting Sheep
This track is a bit strange, as is to be expected with Safia. Dramatic, dynamic and infectious, these three guys know how to make a good dance track, and Counting Sheep is no exception! Following along similar lines from their eerie Paranoia, Ghosts & Other Sounds, this track is a little spooky but so groovy and fun it doesn’t matter!
2. Szymon – Golden
This is a special track. Szymon wrote a series of tracks in his bedroom in 2008, but it wasn’t until his tragic loss in his battle with depression that they were to see the light of day. Eloper Music and his family joined forces to release his beautiful songs, and so they should. Golden is lovely, smooth and definitely deserves your time.
3. JayCee – Vibe
This is one of the smoothest hip hop tracks I’ve heard in a while.The sparse, relaxed production allows the lyrics to take centrestage, with the beautiful vocals of Naomi Lee paired with the chilled out rhymes of JayCee. This has sunny afternoons written all over it.
4. Gengahr – Haunter
Gengahr have just supported Alt-J and Wolf Alice, so already you know they must be good. Haunter is a beautifully delicate track; hazy and emotive with fragile vocals and acoustic guitars. Keep an eye out for these guys, as they continue to capture hearts at SXSW, then support Circa Waves and The Strokes – definitely ones to watch!
5. Sofi de la Torre – That Isn’t You
Alternative R&B is quickly becoming one of the most popular genres in music at the moment, meaning it takes something extra special to standout. Spanish singer-songwriter Sofi de la Torre is exactly this. That Isn’t You is lifted from her forthcoming EP out next month, and I cannot wait for that to drop. This sultry, emotional track features powerful production full of skittering percussion, swirling lasers, whistles and swelling synths. Sublime.
6. Winter Islands – Don’t Let Go (En Vogue Rework)
This En Vogue track is definitely a guilty pleasure/go to karaoke tune for me, so to hear it reworked by Winter Islands in such a way makes me very happy indeed! They’ve made it explosive, with booming drums and soaring guitars, as well as vocals delivered with almost as much passion as me during my karaoke performance.
7. Caribou – Second Chance (Cyril Hahn Edit)
Caribou had one of the most critically acclaimed releases of 2014, with each track on his Our Love album an example of bar raising electronica. It takes a brave soul to step up to the plate to remix this legend, but Cyril Hahn took it upon himself, and spun Second Chance into a slowed down and more soulful, sweeping number. He’s definitely done it justice.
8. Bon Voyage – Booshie
This track is so much fun. Lots of bass, cheeky lyrics and light synths make for a seriously contagious track from this fresh new three piece. “Booshie” is to consider oneself to be above everyone else, and if Bon Voyage are making tracks like this I would say that belief is justified. I’ve had “She way too good for that” stuck in my head for two days now.
9. MIA – CanSeeCanDo
I fucking love MIA, and I’m so glad she is back to her good old angry as hell self. CanSeeCanDo marks the return of her politically charged dance tracks, where her messages of global politics are thinly veiled by immediately likeable and accessible dance music. There was a brief stage where, with the release of her 2013 release Matangi, she was told her music was too dark. This surprise track was accompanied by the SoundCloud description, “DEMOCRACY CONVERSATIONS ! TAMILS ARE STILL WAITING! AND NO MY BEATS ARE NOT BETTER WITHOUT MY POLITICX” so it’s safe to say she’s back, and ready to tear the world a new one!
10. Terry Urban – Who Shot Papi (Prod. Chi Duly) Notorious B.I.G x FKA twigs mashup
We’ve covered the first release of this mashup series, as well as the whole damn album Terry Urban dropped this week, so this track is included merely as an indicator of what has been on repeat for me for the past 5 days. Who would have thought Papi Pacify would be so well suited to Who Shot Ya? The whole album is a dream I didn’t know I’d had come true, and this little number is a definite stand out.
In the name of exposing ‘creative’ hacks who steal other individuals ideas, today we discuss global torture sensation Ariana Grande. The American ‘singer’ (is that what they call it these days) released her new video clip for latest single One Last Time, which is all good and well, aside from the fact that it seems to have ripped off Aussie legends Safia, and their video clip for You Are The One.
Look, we’re not blaming her directly – if she was responsible for even one word that came out of her mouth let alone a video clip, we’d be a lot more impressed – but those on her team, be it her director, producers or whatever, have apparently walked into a pile of plagiarised shit.
Set the scene: doomsday – meteors rain down from the heavens and such begins the story of our beloved couple. The female exits the car and begins to run down the street, only to be chased by her boyfriend in a last ditch effort to express his love. Fireman, policeman and the general public sprawl across the street in a desperate panic, attempting to avoid the inevitable end of the world. How does it all end? A romantic kiss as the meteor engulfs the globe in a blinding white light.
This description could be used for either of the two clips, the issue is Safia released theirs over 4 months prior. I’ll admit there are two distinct differences between the two releases. Firstly, Ariana Grande’s is from a point-of-view perspective, and secondly, Safia’s music is infinitely better.
This isn’t the first time it’s happened either. Late last year, a viral fight erupted between local legends Clubfeet and Britain’s worst export One Direction between the two videos Everything You Wanted and You & I. So please, Ariana Grande, tell your team that stealing isn’t cool. If they’re not going to attempt to write good music for you to sing, at least have the decency not to rip ideas from other artists.
See for yourself
Safia – You Are The One
Ariana Grande – One Last Time