Kingswood – Creepin
The first single off their forthcoming sophomore album, Creepin is an uplifting yet melancholic anthem. Featuring their signature gritty guitar riffs, slapping drumbeats, and captivating vocals, this is a bold return from the boys. The video itself is also weirdly enchanting, featuring a range of ballet dancers who are accompanied by a freakishly face-painted ‘creep’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSDvchLmqnI
Torii Wolf – Body
Torii Wolf has released a seductive and meditative banger titled Body, produced by araabMUSIK. With her smooth and sultry vocals gliding through the track, the video builds upon these sentiments, but showcases the emptiness and longing one has for a past lover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=151&v=Ge1JUaXjULc
Danny Brown – Pneumonia
Detroit’s Danny Brown has released yet another visual accompaniment from his fourth studio album Atrocity Exhibition. This time with a haunting clip for Pneumonia, the kind of horrifying experimental track sees Danny tied up in chains and flailed through the air. While we don’t entirely get what’s going on, it definitely does a good job of keeping your eyes glued to the screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-Dc3_eiV8
Pusha T – H.G.T.V.
After teasing the tune just days ago, King Push has finally released the new track H.G.T.V alongside it’s new video. Shot entirely in portrait orientation (maybe grab your phone), the simplistic, sub bass centred beat sees Pusha T flexing his vocal skills to the max. Just goes to show, with over 20 years in the game, Pusha has still got it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s63y_kfWt4
Kid Cudi – Frequency
Following the previously released All In, Cudi has returned with a new video for his upcoming project. An enchanting mix of auto-tune laced choruses and in-depth rap verses, catchy is an understatement. Frequency is actually directed by Cudi himself and follows him as he traverses through a mysterious and eerie jungle like setting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzvywmVRWAo
Glass Animals – Season 2 Episode 3
Dropping the visual accompaniment to one of their recent album’s favourites, the video game inspired single has now gotten a video game inspired clip! Centring around a disinterested, couch-bound girl, she is soon pulled into a psychedelic video game world at the flip of a button. It’s an incredible interpretation of the video game sounds used within the tune, and if that couldn’t get any better, this game will soon be playable by fans!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2Kwos_oWSc
The Weeknd – False Alarm
For his second music video of the album, The Weeknd has certainly gone all out. Matching the fast paced and intense nature that the single presented, the clip follows a group of bank robbers as they make their heist and getaway. It’s an incredibly violent and cinematic film for something as simple as a music video, but the result is something utterly unique and head turning in every way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW5oGRx9CLM
The Lumineers – Cleopatra
Is there anything more pure than a classic On Tour style music video? Probably not. There’s just something about them that’s both exciting and nostalgic and Denver outfit The Lumineers have just unveiled their version. Filled with behind the scenes footage from stadiums through through the front window of a van en-route to a show, to shots of fans and crowds, Cleopatra’s got a bit of everything and gives a glimpse into the day to day touring life of a band during the a whirlwind that is a World Tour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClvG58Igo9o
Hayley Kiyoko – One Bad Night
Content Warning: transmisogynistic violence
Disney-actor turned singer Hayley Kyioko has never shied away from representation of people and experiences. Her new video for the synthy and guitar driven pop-centric One Bad Night is no exception. The clip sees Donald (played by Birth of a Nation actor Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Amber (played by trans YouTube activist Erin Armstrong) each go through a particularly rough night. After stealing a car from his valet parking job, Donald witnesses an attack on Amber and intervenes, the two strangers ending up their night together in a diner. Like her previous videos, One Bad Night is directed by Kyioko and places her LGBT+ activism at the forefront of her art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_wXWFnTjxU
Archivist – Everything is Wanted
Ahead of the release of their upcoming EP Memo, London electro-indie act Archivist have unveiled the video for their song Everything is Wanted. Cutting between colour and black and white, the jumpy nature of the clip fits perfectly with the song as frontman Ed Begley journeys through city and forest in an almost escapist nature. Particularly good are the slow shots of a gently wild sea, slowing things down for contemplation before urgently restarting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u15NmuWnBtE&feature=youtu.be
Seekae – Turbine Blue
If the location for the latest video from Sydney trio Seekae seems super familiar, that’s probably because you’ve watched Grease and/orTerminator 2 a few too many times. Directed by Kris Moyes, the video was the last to be shot at the iconic location before it was demolished and follows seven people with very different dancing styles. It’s a somewhat unexpected approach a fresh vibe and lots of super pleasing, crisp blue tones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2klcVENrEnQ&feature=youtu.be
Words by Ruby-Rose Pivet-Marsh and Martin McConnell
Image: 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:
Clipping – Wriggle
First up is the California rappers Clipping and their frenetic new single and video for Wriggle. The title track from their recently released EP, the track has some distinct early Outkast vibes about it, a rapid-fire backbeat over almost industrial production, Daveed Diggs spitting in time.
The video is a whirlwind of pop culture gifs melded together with footage of Diggs, a frantic experience for both your eyes and your ears with plenty of gems from the world of film and television and viral sensations thrown in to the mix.
Wriggle is out now on Sub Pop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5msWb1l2j6g&feature=youtu.be
Angel Olsen – Shut Up Kiss Me
From Cali to North Carolina (via way of St. Louis) next for songstress Angel Olsen and her new single Shut Up Kiss Me. It’s the second taste of her third studio album MY WOMAN due out later this year. Olsen warbles over a lone classic rock guitar riff before the band kicks in to the chorus. It’s a grunge-y and more energetic change of pace from the first synth-driven slow-burner Intern (which was still a ripper song in its own right).
The video sees Olsen donning the same silvery bob from the video for Intern, this time having an absolute whale of a night out and looking like an utter badass posting up out of the sunroof of her car and cutting shapes all over a roller rink among a whole lot of other fun looking activities.
MY WOMAN is out September 2nd on Jagjaguwar via Inertia Music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nleRCBhLr3k
Torii Wolf & DJ Premier – 1st Remix (ft. Dilated Peoples)
Next up is the encouraging new collaboration between New York singer-songwriter Torii Wolf and hip-hop royalty DJ Premier, who has remixed Wolf’s debut single 1st, throwing his own little twist on it including a turn from Dilated Peoples. The result is stunning: a gorgeous piano melody, Wolf’s ethereal vocals and hard-hitting bars from Rakaa and Evidence over a methodical beat colliding as one here.
The video features a short introduction with the Wolf meeting the Dilated Peoples guys and discussing with DJ Premier his vision for the remix. From there we get scenic shots of Wolf driving a drop-top interspersed with intimate shots from inside the recording studio as each artists takes their turn creating the song.
There’s no official release date for Wolf’s forthcoming album Flow Riiot just yet, but the fact that it has been produced entirely by DJ Premier leaves us with great expectations for its eventual arrival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbXxxHH6JNg
Boys Noize – Birthday (ft. Hudson Mohawke and Spank Rock)
To a huge meeting of minds here on the new single from Berlin producer Boys Noize. Featuring one of his contemporaries in Hudson Mohawke and Baltimore MC Spank Rock, Birthday is the title, the very last track from his recently released fourth studio LP Mayday.
The production positively shimmers here before kicking into overdrive and banging like a screen door in a cyclone, Spank Rock providing the hook of “every day I wake up feel like my fucking birthday”. The accompanying video is a cracker too, the basic concept being a wild birthday but shown in reverse, it’s almost calming watching its subjects go from absolutely ratters at the end of the night to open the video to calmly swinging in the park by its conclusion.
Mayday is out now on POD via Inertia Music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-1EqDI8Lng
Vera Blue – Fingertips
Heading back home now with Sydney siren Vera Blue and her latest single Fingertips. It comes from her recently released EP of the same name and is utterly mesmerising, gentle acoustic guitar melding with pulsating synths and Vera’s breathtaking vocals. The chorus will drop the floor out from under you.
The video focuses heavily on the aforementioned fingertips, though the song itself is more about the terrible things social media can do to a relationship. Vera navigates her way through some kind of odd string-filled room before finding herself in a disorienting maze of sheets. It’s stellar stuff from production house Paper Moose here.
The Fingertips EP is out now on Mercury Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHgr1nCpt1A
Skegss – My Face
Byron Bay party animals Skegss aren’t slowing down in 2016, releasing their brand new single My Face a couple of weeks back and now giving it the video treatment. It’s the first taste of their forthcoming sophomore EP Everyone Is Good At Something. The tune is a sub-three minute lo-fi punk belter, the kind that gets you nostalgic for old Blink-182, all scuzzy guitars and droning vocals.
The video starts following a typical day in the life of frontman Ben, enjoying a sunny stroll before being accosted by a pair of wolf-men, who give chase (in between copping feels of each other) before settling their differences the only appropriate way (over a pint).
Skegss are heading out on a national tour to support their next EP with Dumb Punts and Verge Collection in August. If you’ve not seen them live you need to take a good look at yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgdUo-S-JpA
DMA’s – Timeless
Sydney’s DMA’s are presently taking over the world off the back of this year’s enormous debut album Hills End. Having just finished wrapping up a surprise turn at Glastonbury, the boys have released their latest single and video from that album for Timeless. The track is the same kind of rollicking Britpop number, it drives along relentlessly, full of fuzzed out guitars and sporting an absolute chest-beater of a chorus.
The video flat out rules too. Shot in black and white, it features the DMA’s boys enjoying what looks like a cracker of an evening with more than a few pints flowing down the local with a gang of senior citizens. Plenty of feel-good moments here.
Hills End is out now on I Oh You.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9lTxqpCNLc
The Strokes – Threat Of Joy
Having stormed back into the spotlight with the release of their Future Present Past EP a few weeks back along with a set for the ages at this year’s Governors Ball in their hometown New York City, The Strokes have been on a roll as they prepare for a world tour that includes a stop in Australia for Splendour In The Grass. Threat Of Joy was one of three new tracks on Future Present Past and The Strokes have given it a wildly imaginative video this week.
The song is vintage, jangly Strokes, pleasant and summery with frontman Julian Casablancas’ unmistakeable voice the anchor. The video follows a shifty government agency (who all wear pig masks) and their search for the stolen footage of the as-yet-unseen music video for lead single Oblivius. Just the latest from a band who have made some of the most iconic music videos of this generation.
Future Present Past is out now on Cult Records.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJNgvS-sA-s
Image: YouTube
It has been another incredible good week for new music. As always, we try to share as much as we can throughout the week, but here’s a playlist of everything we may have missed, but it’s too good to leave behind. Enjoy!
- Azad Right – Enough Of You (Prod. Sango, Atu & Dpat)
Azad may not be a familiar name, but as VPrecord label Mind of a Genius (ZHU, Gallant etc) you may well be aware of his influence. This is the first track which features his own vocals, and it’s immediately clear that his talents stretch far beyond label prowess. Understated and smooth, with a low, seductive tone and emotive instrumental layers, this is a sentimental, sensual track, reflecting on a recently ended relationship in an intimate way – the kind of conversation you have with yourself once you’re starting to see straight and think clearly. - Montaigne – Because I Love You
Okay, so this track came out at the end of last week, but I couldn’t let it slip by without writing about it. Time and time again Montaigne proves herself to be one of the best Sydney artists around. This one’s a lot more synth-pop-y than her previous tracks, showcasing a brighter, and I suppose, more straightforward sound to what we’ve heard before. Admittedly it isn’t my favourite of hers (I’m such a sucker for the big, sweeping dramatic numbers), but it’s all relative – this track still rocks in many ways. - NYNE – Bad Trip (Prod. CHIEF)
This is a really cool electro-pop track from Melbourne’s NYNE, noted for her OVO connection – the resident producer of which, Sevn Thomas, worked on her previous single Can’t Sleep Alone. The lyrics of Bad Trip essentially say it all – this is a pretty damn relatable song about making bad decisions late at night, at a time when you really shouldn’t be texting back. The rhythm and atmosphere can totally put you into that mindset; it’s great hearing more stuff like this coming out of Australia. - Hanni El Khatib – Miracle
I have all the time in the world for Hanni El Khatib, and I truly adore everything he releases. Earlier this year came three new tracks in the form of a three-track EP Savage Times Volume 1, and now a fourth, Miracle, is upon us. Drunkenly emotive and melodically gorgeous, not many people can make bluesy tunes this raw and this enjoyable in 2016. Although originally intended for a full band, he absolutely made the right decision keeping it stripped back with just voice and a guitar. I’m hoping there’s a Savage Times Volume 2 on its way! - Torii Wolf – 1st ft. Dilated Peoples (Remix) (Prod. DJ Premier)
Smooth, so so smooth. I’ve been listening to a LOT of Dilated Peoples lately, so this is a really exciting new addition to the DJ Premier-produced collaboration. The verses are engaging and excellent, all the while backed by gentle piano and a driving beat. Upcoming Mass Appeal artist Torii Wolf’s voice is really special, with a really unique, wavering, breathy tone that seriously works so well with the verses and Premier’s production. I’m really excited to hear more. - DΔWN, Serpentine Fire
Serpentine Fire is the third offering in Adult Swim’s weekly singles releases for 2016. Each has been remarkably different, and this week’s, from Dawn Richards, is a floaty electro-house track with heavenly vocals and a pumping beat coming together for a bouncy, dance-floor ready rhythm. Although only two minutes long, it’s hard not to start bopping along. I’ve avidly followed the Adult Swim Singles Series for a long time now – check back next week for week four! - River Tiber, Heart of Stone
This is an incredible new single from one of my favourite new discoveries. I love how Tiba has taken a well-done sound (ie, rich electro-R&B) and injected it with something totally fresh and totally seductive. The way that his vocal melody plays with dramatically lengthened phrases and stark instrumental layers kind of reminds me of James Blake here. After about two-and-a-half minutes the track drops, adding a really nice synth rhythm, intricate percussion and a deeply satisfying bass line. This is certainly my favourite track on this week’s playlist, and I’m really, really looking forward to his upcoming album Indigo, due out on June 24. (not on the playlist below – listen here) - Tourist Dollars, Ageless
Anyone who knows me knows that tracks like is aren’t my usual fare, but last night while I was lying in bed, trawling through my alarmingly full inbox, I found this song and it made me smile. Ageless offers a floaty warmth with backing harmonies that kind of sounds like a woozy, slow-mo barbershop quartet. It’s tropical sure – just look at the Hawaiian shirt artwork and the ocean sounds in the outro, but it lacks the corniness that typically makes me cringe. The Melbourne trio’s debut EP is out this week – take a load off, and enjoy. - BLYDVS, Pressure (ft. Jace XL)
I came across this gem on Soundcloud yesterday and have listened to it about 12 times since. This is the only song on BLYDVS (Billy Davis)’ page, and it’s gorgeous. Featuring guest vocals from Hiatus Kaiyote backing singer Jace XL, this soulful song is just gorgeous. Musically, it is sensual and intricate, evoking an intimate late-night atmosphere, complete with a soft trumpet and a melody and verse made of pure velvet. My one and only criticism is that there aren’t more songs to follow this up. - Braille Face, Backwards/Medicated
The second track from Melbourne’s Braille Face is luscious and confronting. From the song’s grounding of rumbling percussion, keys and incoming strings, comes a bulging, shuffling rhythm and a tender melody singing a stark story. “I’ve been here before, backwards and medicated,” it begins. Listen carefully and you’ll find something very real throughout this song, something intimate, and confessional. With this melody ringing out atop an instrumental that retains delicacy as it grows more frantic, it hits remarkably hard. Braille Face’s debut album is out later this year and if this is anything to go by, then I’m really looking forward to it.
Image: Hanni El Khatib – Supplied
Torii Wolf‘s upcoming album Flow Riiot is pretty special. Not only is it her debut album, it’s also unique because it will be entirely produced by hip-hop legend, DJ Premier.
DJ Premier has accrued quite a list of people that he has managed to work with over the year’s including the likes of Gang Star, Dr. Dre, The Game and Royce da 5’9” among many others. What’s unique about this pairing is that this will be the first time DJ Premier has entirely produced a female artist’s album. Although Premier has attempted to shine the spotlight on other artists who he has produced, it hasn’t always stuck. However, if this first single is anything to go by, this could be the year where it all turns around.
1st is the cleverly titled first single from the upcoming Flow Riiot and immediately showcases the unique and captivating vocal prowess of Torii Wolf. While she’s asking, “what does it take to keep you from running away”, Premier lends his trademark scratching to the tracks hook with, “I’ve seen the last-come first, I’ve seen the first last” – a repeating chorus which distracts (in a positive way) from Wolf’s ethereal sound.
While this first single is enjoyable as fuck, it will be interesting to see once the album drops, just how the pair find ways to keep the listener captivated as they bounce off each other’s vastly different styles. One song is rarely an indicator of the overall album, and while 1st had all the makings of a solid track, Wolf and Premier will have to dig deep to keep the listener’s enthusiasm from waning.
With both artists firmly having something to prove, their enthusiasm and determination will hopefully ensure that this upcoming album is a success for both of them. We will keep you updated regarding the album’s release date.
Image: pitchfork