What a nifty week it’s been for music. Seems like 2017 is shaking off the early new year daze and releases are pouring in from some amazing artists both locally and worldwide. Some of the best we’ve had our eyes and ears on this week:
London O’Connor – Nobody Hangs Out Anymore
The remastered version of his stunning debut O∆ is out today and with it comes a brand new video for one of the standout tunes from that album, Nobody Hangs Out Anymore. It’s an intoxicating blend of sound, think a less gloomy Earl Sweatshirt with more pop hooks and the accompanying video is a hypnotic slacker day-in-the-life that pairs perfectly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hpfYgbKBQM
Timbre Timbre – Velvet Gloves & Spit
With their fourth record Sincerely, Future Pollution due out April 7th, the juxtapositionally-titled Velvet Gloves & Spit is the gorgeous new single from Canadian trio Timbre Timbre. If you like Jack Ladder And The Dreamlanders, you’ll love this, baritonal storyteller vocals and uplifting synths melding together to create some of the dreamiest listening you’ll do all week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByE1Q4ABXsU
Kilter – Count On Me (ft. LANKS)
Keen to turn it up a few gears because it’s Friday? Sydney beatsmith Kilter is here with an utter banger in new single Count On Me. Featuring LANKS of Melbourne, another of our favourites, it’s a hazy slab of the kind of dance that brings a pit to its knees. Perfect to wave summer off with, expect more big things from Kilter, whose debut album is scheduled for launch in June of this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbLxw2aR0DE
Little Simz – Picture Perfect
Putting out one of the low-key best releases of 2016 was absolute firebrand spitter Little Simz with Stillness In Wonderland. Picture Perfect was one of the many standouts from that record, discordantly jazzy and with Simz going all the way in with relentless force. It’s been given the video treatment this week with an animated feature directed by Jeremy Cole, it’s deliciously neo-noir and only adds to the chaos. Check out our interview with Little Simz while you’re at it.
https://youtu.be/rIVGtd5kjsI
Vera Blue – Private
Wrapping up back on home turf with the brand new single from songstress Vera Blue, who has a debut record due out this year after a 2016 spent ensuring her name was spread nationwide. Private is the first taste of her yet-to-be-titled first longplayer but all indications are that it’s going to be an absolute ripper. It opens with a melancholic piano that gives way to an absolutely monolithic chorus with crashing trap beats and synths like a blazing inferno all sparked by Blue’s utterly killer pipes. She goes harder than we’ve ever heard her here and it’s a fantastic sign of things to come from the Sydney talent. Judge for yourself below:
Image: Supplied
The ambassador for Australian electronic music known as Flume has dropped by Triple J to do Like A Version for the very first time. Currently on his biggest Australian tour to date, Flume showed up with a whole bunch of friends – Vince Staples, who is in town as the main support act for Flume, Vera Blue, Ngaiire, Kai and Kučka. Staples, Kai and Kučka all feature on Skin, while Vera Blue and Ngaiire joined him on stage at Splendour in the Grass.
Although Vince and Kučka were both in tow, he didn’t play [my personal favourite track on the album] Smoke & Retribution. Instead, he delivered a really beautiful rendition of smash hit Never Be Like You with Kai in the lead and Vera Blue, Kučka and Ngaiire on backup vocals.
For his cover, Flume brought Ghost Town DJs’ My Boo to life, with the help of Vince Staples and Kučka, along with Vera and Ngaiire on backing vocals. Watch both here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqdAc56tfSM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miqsQf7ZvCU
Not only did Flume finally release his sophomore album this year, the extremely packed in follow-up to his genre-defying eponymous debut, but he’s just released a short companion EP too, which included a collaboration with Preatures singer Isabella Manfredi.
Read our in-depth review of Flume, Skin
Flume is currently on tour in Australia along with special guests Vince Staples and SOPHIE. Check out the remaining dates below:
December 2 | Brisbane, QLD | Riverstage (SOLD OUT)
December 9 | Sydney, NSW | Qudos Bank Arena (formerly Allphones Arena)
December 10 | Sydney, NSW | Qudos Bank Arena (formerly Allphones Arena)
December 15 | Melbourne, VIC | Sidney Myer Music Bowl (SOLD OUT)
December 16 | Melbourne, VIC | Sidney Myer Music Bowl (SOLD OUT)
December 17 | Adelaide, SA | Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Image: Triple J/Twitter
Parramatta’s premiere summer festival The Plot returned this year ready to bring Plotters some of the biggest up and coming names in Australian music. Part I features Gold Fields, Indian Summer, Ocean Alley, Polographia, Tash Sultana, Ivan Ooze, Ziggy Alberts, Dylan Joel, Montaigne, Vera Blue, Elizabeth Rose, Alex Lahey, Pierce Brothers, Confidence Man, Luca Brasi, Japanese Wallpaper, Allday and The Bennies. Check the action below.
Gold Fields
Indian Summer
Ocean Alley
Polographia
Tash Sultana
Ivan Ooze
Ziggy Alberts
Dylan Joel
Montaigne
Vera Blue
Elizabeth Rose
Alex Lahey
Pierce Brothers
Confidence Man
Luca Brasi
Japanese Wallpaper
Allday
The Bennies
Photos: Teresa Pham/Howl & Echoes
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
Vera Blue‘s Fingertips is only her second EP during her career, but after a listen you’d think her career had gone on for longer. As she goes through the lovely tracks, I kept wishing harder and harder that it was actually a full-length album.
Starting off with Hold, the angelic tone of her voice takes you immediately. Its beautiful sound is surely one to give Sia a run for her money as it lets a pleasurable ringing in your ears. Even though the slow melody is packed with so many layers, it isn’t enough to distract from listening to the beautiful words coming from her mouth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cv6JEjevKQ
In Settle, you can notice how the addition of the acoustic guitar provides a cool and interesting touch to her music. The slow and smooth song is so much more than just a nice sound, fuelling the imagination with calm images of serenity. When I first listened to it, it made me feel like I was standing in the middle of a forest looking up at the tall trees reaching towards the overcast sky as a cool and refreshing breeze blew around me calmly. The whimsical feel was captivating.
The title track had a hip-moving beat, running a bit faster than the previous one. While the themes of lusting after another person when you’re with someone else seems a little unkind, the lyrics are so heartbreakingly beautiful. “I find you there when my lover’s gone, and I know we can harbour our lust.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6BFbesATTU
The amazing lyrical combinations continue in Turn, as we hear the depth behind this light and pretty song. “Just because the sun always shines doesn’t mean you feel warm inside.” It’s music to anyone’s ears who has ever buried their feelings of self-loathing, sadness or worry. While someone may be bright and happy on the outside, it doesn’t anyway seem to be the same on the inside. The song is empowering for anyone who wants to get help, despite their crippling fear.
The final song Patterns closes the EP, leaving us wanting more from Blue. While it may sound like a mess in some places to some people, with an open mind you can hear its worth. With a cool instrumental arrangement and her beautiful voice once again transcending over the sounds, we see the last spark of her creativity. This is something we need to see again soon.
Image: The Music
In late 2015, Celia Pavey exploded onto the Australian indie scene with her new project Vera Blue and eclectic singles Hold and Settle. Her unique brand of soft, beautiful melodies, heartfelt lyrics and bold production is making waves all over the place. In the lead up to the release of her debut EP Fingertips an upcoming tour, Howl and Echoes caught up with her to find about everything that’s happened so far and what’s yet to come from Vera Blue in 2016.
Image: Facebook/Vera Blue
You’re currently supporting Matt Corby on his Telluric tour, about to release an EP and start your own hugely anticipated tour. Congratulations on everything you’ve achieved this year! What’s been the biggest moment for you personally so far?
Vera Blue: The biggest moments for me have been selling out my Fingertips tour, doing triple j’s ‘Like a Version’ and then supporting Matt is pretty massive. It’s huge for me.
I’m a huge fan of the dreamy production on your new singles Hold and Settle, but as Celia Pavey your music was more folk-inspired. Is the shift in sound (and name) a new chapter in your musical journey, or more of a total overhaul? Could you tell us a bit about the process of that shift?
I think it is like a new chapter, but it’s more just being more open-minded about what’s going on in the music world. Creating sounds that are different, that’s something that I’m very passionate about. I never thought I’d have a passion for this kind of electronic music, but the blend keeps it real. The lyrics are just so raw, and exactly what I’m going through at the time. With the team I’m working with, it’s the perfect fit. So I’m just running with it and loving it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6BFbesATTU
What inspired the change from your real name to Vera Blue?
The sound for sure, because it was so different. I just felt like it deserved its own project name. It doesn’t really mean anything in particular.
Your first album, This Music, was a collection of covers. Were you writing your own music too at that time, or did that come later?
Yes, always writing. But not these songs, they came later. I was always writing through everything, but these songs came through a later collaboration.
You must be enjoying the opportunity to make and record your own music now – in what ways is this process more rewarding or challenging than recording covers?
It’s really special because you’re recording and writing music that’s specifically about what you’re going through emotionally. You’re putting in all of your emotional energy into that recording. It’s really special. With this EP, I’ve pushed myself more vocally, so now it’s a bit more challenging to perform live. To find something that challenging is really good and rewarding as an artist. Wanting it to be better and better each time – taking it to the next level!
Working with Andy and Thomas Mak and Gossling, how did they each help shape or hone aspects of your music?
We were all experimenting to start with. Gossling is a concept writer, she keeps it very alternative. Her style and melody writing is very alternative. Writing with Tom and Andy is more in the pop world. The blend of the folk, alternative writing style and the pop stuff and creating a new style, something fresh. We all add our own flavour. If we sit down and talk about what I’m going through, that’s when an idea will spark. That’s when the magic happens, and there are more feelings in it. It can make more ideas flow.
What were one or two of the most important things you learnt while working on the new record?
Don’t be shy. Just go for it. When I was first in the studio with the boys and Gossling, they put me in front of a mic and told me to just go for it, without worrying about what people thought. Just letting it rip, that’s how Settle was written. So I learnt to not be shy and go for it, and trust myself as an artist. I went through periods of second-guessing myself, and just believing in myself as an artist.
Both videos for Hold and Settle have a similar aesthetic – could you tell us a bit about the idea behind these videos and the direction? Will this be a recurring style throughout forthcoming videos?
With Hold, it was a very intimate setting. It’s about self-discovery, and we wanted to keep it intimate but not sexual. Through having a female director, it just made it so special. She captured the best moments of the song. Having the illustrations was really different I think, it added a bit of texture. It’s something that I’d never seen before. Keeping it in black and white kept it a bit more mysterious. Having it all in slow motion as well. Originally I didn’t want to be in the film clips, but they did it really well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC_9ZVpXZiQ
We loved your cover of Jack Garratt‘s Breathe Life for Like A Version, what drew you to his music?
Well, when I first heard that song, it blew my mind. He’s a producer and what he did was mental, and he’s a singer as well. Lyrically he hits the spot. When you listen to him, you get lost in the world of Jack Garratt. Bit grungy, bit dirty, but still beautiful. I love where the music takes you, with his electronica and beats. So good, so much soul.
What else can we look forward to from you in 2016?
Heaps more music. Lots of shows, really looking forward to that. Doing some feature tracks. Maybe a few more little surprises!
Vera Blue’s EP will be available on the 13th of May here
Fingertips tour dates:
Sat, May 14: Jimmy’s Den, Perth
Sun, May 15: Aviary Rooftop Sessions, Perth
Tues, May 17: Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne
Wed, May 18: Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne
Thurs, May 19: Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne
Fri, May 20: Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
Sat, May 21: Plan B Small Club, Sydney
Tues, May 31: Newtown Social Club, Sydney
Image: Facebook/Vera Blue
Words by Delia Bartle
Rising vocalist and songwriter Vera Blue has announced her first ever headline shows, in support of her upcoming debut EP Fingertips.
Just last week the Australian artist released her second single, Settle, which was instantly added to Triple J rotation and features production by Gossling and Andy Mak.
“I’m at the age where I’m writing about what’s happening to me, the things that I’ve been through, the people that surround me and everything in my life,” the 20-year-old said. “I can’t make things up, it has to be honest.”
The Fingertips EP and tour announcement followed Blue’s debut appearance on Triple J’s Like A Version on Friday morning, where she covered Jack Garratt’s Breathe Life.
Blue’s hit single from last year, Hold, claimed No.1 spot on the Spotify Australia Viral Chart, reached Top 5 in the UK/US and Global Spotify Charts, and has accumulated more than 3 million online streams. It’s the debut single from Fingertips, and mixes together acoustic piano and production. “This song is about finding someone who pulls you out of a dark place,” she explained. “It’s about when you’ve opened your heart so many times to people and you finally find that person who is there to protect you, to look after you, even when you’ve hurt them and they’ve hurt you. You never give up on them.”
One thing’s for sure – we won’t be giving up on Vera Blue and her intoxicating sound world anytime soon.
Vera Blue – Australian Fingertips Tour
Thursday 19 May – Shebeen Bandroom, Melbourne
Friday 20 May – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane
Saturday 21 May – Plan B Small Club, Sydney
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 22 March
IMAGE: Artist / Universal Music Australia
Montaigne – In The Dark
I’ve long swooned over the upcoming Sydney artist, and already described this track as perhaps her best yet. The visual accompaniment is now upon us, adding yet another intriguing and beautiful element to the piece.
This is a really weird clip, and absolutely my favourite for the week. Totally surreal, it’s packed with physical and symbolic power. The clip almost exclusively features Montaigne in a bare, dark space. Soon, we begin to see gold liquid oozing from her skin, eventually enveloping her completely, burying her in a shallow grave.
This track was amazing on its own, and this video only makes it that much better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6c5daSKVRw&feature=youtu.be
Vera Blue – Settle
Just last month saw the release of a wicked BV remix of Vera Blue’s debut track Hold, which was first released late last year. Now, the 20-year-old artist is back once more, with a really stunning new track and accompanying video, Settle. The track was produced by Gossling and Andy Mak, while the video was produced by Sydney’s Paper Moose. The soft black and white clip has a really similar aesthetic to that for Hold, and the relatively simple concept sees Vera traipsing through tunnels, streets and stairways across the city, engulfed in a contemplative, pensive atmosphere.
Settle is the second track released from her upcoming debut EP, due for release some time later this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6BFbesATTU&lf=9510dd3fac4be7fc2219448cd0cee539
Kučka – Honey
Having just enjoyed a meteoric jump in recognition thanks to her feature on the explosive new Vince Staples-featuring Flume track, it could not be a more perfect time for Kučka to release something new of her own. This week saw the video release of her track Honey. The video, directed by Julia Ngeow, takes a really, really intimate look at the human body. Skin, fingers, eyes and lips are almost removed from their context and meaning as a body part, instead looking like strange landscapes and other unidentifiable shapes.
The artist will be releasing a series of Honey remixes on April 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLEP0ceIc88&feature=youtu.be
Another week of awesome music, another playlist that’s narrowed it down to the best songs to come out. This week is pretty locally focussed, with six tracks made from homegrown artists. But, we’ve still gotta give it up for our international brothers and sisters, so some of them are in here too. It’s a big mix of everything, but one that is perfect for your weekend listening. Take a look for yourself!
Lower Spectrum, Masquerade
I can’t get enough of Lower Spectrum. The WA wunderkind is making some of the best music in the country right now, and his latest track is no exception. Building on from his previous single, Proxima, his latest release is a slightly different take on his dark, brooding sounds. It’s definitely more accessible, with a solid groove and spliced vocal samples to make a sort of hook that will get you moving in no time. Hold out for the break down when things get really wild too. This song is a winner!
Harts, Peculiar
Prince look-a-like Harts is on a roll right now, and Peculiar is just another dot point in his ever-growing list of achievements. He’s sold out shows across the country, got a few festival sets under his belt and is being tipped by just about everyone as the next big thing to come out of Australia, and now with Peculiar that seems even more likely. Blistering guitar solos, explosive choruses, expert production and poignant lyricism, Harts kills it every time and I am of the firm belief it’s a question of “when” not “if” for when he truly breaks through and the world catches on. It’s going to be soon!
The Love Junkies, Nobody
Adding another band member and announcing a national tour, The Love Junkies have triumphantly returned to the scene with Nobody – a punchy tune that sits just under 4 minutes of classic rock. Gearing up for the release of their third album, they’ve once again shown how great they are at blending a multitude of influences and styles to create their own palpable sound, and it’s a sound that will hold them in good stead as they get even bigger. Set to travel over to the US for SXSW and then to Canada for Canadian Music Week, things are only just beginning for this WA band.
Annie Bass, While I’m Waiting
Annie Bass is actually Annabel Weston, the superb vocalist who lent her impressive vocals for Oisima. Now she is stepping out on her own, and with co-writer Matt Morrison by her side, it seems it’s now her time to shine. While I’m Waiting is a hazy, smoky number with Weston’s vocals rightfully centre-stage. It’s paired with a smooth beat, delicate drums and seductive synths, and is a blooming, swelling track that you can get lost in. You’ll find yourself reaching for that “Repeat” button in no time with this one.
LUCIANBLOMKAMP, The Overman
This is hands down LUCIANBLOMKAMP’s best song so far, and that’s saying something. Taken from his incoming sophomore album, The Overman is mind blowing. It’s spellbinding and magical, immersive and emotive, and just so impressive. Going from strength to absolute strength, LUCIANBLOMKAMP is the most underrated artist in the country right now, and it only takes one listen to any of his songs to make you wonder why he isn’t the biggest thing going since Flume. However, his time is coming, people are slowly learning, and when he finally breaks, it will be thanks to songs like this.
Boulevards, Up On Your Love
The prize for the funnest single to come out of this week goes to Boulevards. Listing Prince and Rick James as influences, this is one of the funkiest tunes I’ve heard in a long time, and I just can’t get enough of it. It’s upbeat. joyous, liberating and so damn groovy. It’s the type of song that would be a blast live, and would have the whole crowd cutting shapes thanks to the impossibly funky beat and Boulevards’ energetic voice. Just try getting this one out of your head!
Stone Cold Fox, Change My Mind
There is an air of nostalgia about this band for me. It’s their blend between electronic and indie/alternative music that reminds me of acts like Phoenix, and the boom of bands like this back in the late 00’s. In saying that, these guys are hardly a nostalgia act, and are very much killing it on their own. Taking the best bits of that time and throwing them into the expert production that 2016 has to offer, Stone Cold Fox hold it down with Change My Mind – an upbeat dance track with shimmering synths, quintessential indie guitars and groovy drums. Add to all of this the stellar vocals, and it’s pretty obvious the boys are onto something really good here!
Vera Blue, Hold (BV Remix)
The original of this song has been played over a million times on Spotify, so it is safe to say the pressure was on for the remix to deliver. Employing BV for those duties, the results are pretty incredible to say the least. Formerly known as Black Vanilla, BV have utilised their off-kilter, erratic production techniques to plunge Vera Blue’s Hold into new, and darker territory. Her serene vocals sounds strangely at home over the industrial sounds and raucous cacophony that they have created, and as the song goes along, it gets better and better. It’s huge, it’s certainly not what you’d expect but it works so damn well. Let’s hope this isn’t the last BV remix we’ll be hearing for a while, as I am officially hooked! Check it out on Spotify here.
Chase & Status, Control
One of the biggest acts in the world, Chase & Status have triumphantly returned with Control. Teaming up with Slaves, the electronic powerhouse have once again shown just how it’s done with this track. Accompanying its release is an incredible video as well, featuring powerful and confronting imagery to match the powerful and confronting song. It’s electrifying and enthralling, and has you paying attention within seconds as the lyrics are repeated over and over with growing intensity. It’s certainly different from the usual Chase & Status stuff, but it also has me very keen to hear what else they have in store for us when they release their fourth album later this year. Check out the clip for yourself below:
Image: Pilerats
Since releasing their debut track Hold Me Down almost a year ago, Sydney trio Mansionair have become a go-to, permanent fixture in many people’s music catalogs. They’ve racked up millions of streams, toured some of the biggest and best festivals in the country and got to take their talents to the US, UK and Europe to support CHVRCHES on tour.
Their genre-defying sound has earned them near universal acclaim from the likes of NME, BBC Radio, Stereogum and of course your humble correspondent here at Howl & Echoes. And for good reason too: their idiosyncratic brand of incandescently beautiful indie-electronica will lift you up and carry you away. Lead singer Jack Frogatt’s hypnotic falsetto holds you down from the moment it begins. So it was with great pleasure that I was able to catch them at their Sydney show at the Oxford Art Factory on Saturday night.
Sold-out and crammed full of eager punters wanting to hear the three-piece ensemble, there was an inquisitive air hanging about. Having released just four of their own original songs thus far, what else would be played to fill the hour long set? Turns out quite a lot.
Forbes native and opening act Vera Blue got the crowd started with Hold, a soothing and sultry track that was the perfect entree to the rest of the night. Pick Me Up, their latest release, was an effervescent affair, the soaring vocals of Frogatt highlighted by the atmospheric instrumentals of band members Alex Nicholls and Lachlan Bostock. The crowd stood transfixed, letting the melodious sounds sway them ever so gently as heads bopped up and down in euphoric enjoyment.
One of the best songs in Mansionair’s repertoire happens to belong to someone else; Future Islands to be exact. But their incredible cover on Like A Version for Triple J made it their own. The hauntingly bittersweet rendition of Seasons (Waiting On You) was a treat, the live performance amplifying that raw and visceral texture that Mansionair’s cover made possible. It may have been one of the best songs of the night, but it’s also one of the best covers of the year.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5AInHhyXzE&w=560&h=315]
The seemingly portmanteau-ed of the name ‘Mansionair’ is an apt description of what the band offers. A palatial soundscape imbued with a gentle magnitude that is as light as ‘air’. Nowhere was this more apparent than during the performance of Speak Easy, the track currently making continuous rounds on the Triple J airwaves and a beloved favourite. The ephemeral quality of Froggatt’s vocals were lush and heady, sweeping everyone up like a gust of warm summer wind.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc_rJHpXeEk&w=560&h=315]
For the devout followers of Mansionair, any new material is quickly devoured and played repeatedly on loop. So when when the crowd got to hear new songs, which we will all hopefully hear on the forthcoming album, it felt incredibly generous and intimate. It’s always a bit difficult to gauge brand new material from a live experience, but the so-called Shadows was a showstopper. The worst part was their was no actual track I could go and listen to obsessively afterwards.
Finishing with their most renowned track was a no-brainer, and Hold Me Down entranced. The set was surreal, the lyricism more potent when sung directly at you, endemic of the band’s adept songwriting skills. Now the real question remained: when would a full length album finally come out? Hold me down, but don’t hold out on us for too long guys.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm_o7wMq9dQ&w=560&h=315]