Local
Jacinta Lal: Sagittarius (Single)(Independent) - Nothing short of a total teeth-barer here from Jacinta Lal, who’s been building a solid reputation across a number of bombastic but unashamedly feminine hip-hop tracks in the past year. It might not be Sagittarius season at the moment, but if you need an appropriately astrological track to help you put Mercury Retrograde behind you then Lal has the goods. (Liz Ansley)
Lalka: SHUT UP (Single) (Independent)
- The otherworldly sounding EDM of Lalka’s latest single carries the same provocative EDM stylings of Die Antwoord. Shut Up is aggressive and determinedly heavy handed in it’s assertion of the self in the onslaught of a such a huge sounding track. Powerful. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Min-Svoboda-Hawkins: Min-Svoboda-Hawkins (Independant)
- This Brisbane local jazz trio consisting of Sophie Min, Helen Svoboda, and Lachlan Hawkins explore the textures and natural timbres of their piano, double bass, and drum kit respectively through seven layered and harmonically rich instrumental compositions. Recorded live at The Brisbane Jazz Club in April of 2017 the release comfortably belongs both in the easy listening and intellectually stimulating catagories. (Peter Strasser)
Suicide Swans: La Jungla (NEAR ENOUGH RECORDS)
- Sure, Suicide Swans know how to turn up their Alt-country into brash abandon but with their latest album, La Jungla, the Toowoomba band are their most evocative in their quieter moments. A powerful lament is only possible with the experience acquired through the long-standing creative service through which the Swans have sung and swung. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Val Flynn: On Repeat (Single) (INDEPENDENT)
- Debut single from local artist Val Flynn. This energetic number is my new g-up song. The clapping rhythms and repeated melody sung by Val Flynn will get anyone in the club swaying, swishing and dancing with glee. Cannot wait to hear more. (Jade Rodrigo)
Australian
Alice Skye: Friends With Feelings (CAAMA Music) - Seriously stunning debut album from 22 year old Indigenous Australian Alice Skye. Such effective use of reverb and a real prover of the 'less is more' motto. Just so beautiful. Super emotional.(Molly Jackson)
COAST: COAST (Art As Catharsis)
- Supremely talented Sydney jazz group COAST bring their debut full release with grooves, intricate solo work from all members, technical skill, and yet they remain as a cohesive whole. Standing out is the track Tide. Silky harmonies between clean electric guitar, saxophone, synth leads and piano, and a steady yet alive drum groove adorn this track and cement COAST as a band who can balance the easy listening style of "smooth" jazz with oodles of detail and subtlety; like its namesake this track rises and falls seemingly like nature had decided to take its course. (Peter Strasser)
Debbie Downers: Eat My Skorts (Helta Skelta)
- Punk guitar tones and wails of frustration are brought to the table in Debbie Downers' perfectly titled release Eat My Skorts. The Perth rockers' attitude to impractical fashion and gender stereotypes are helped along by the yelled vocals and raucus jam outs in tracks like Bridal Dress and Man in a Panic. (Peter Strasser)
The Harpoons: Amaro (Thinking Loud)
- Swoony, smoky sophomore album from the Harpoons. I'm revelling in the groovy dancebeats and lush harmonies. Definitely an album that takes me far away… (Molly Jackson)
Horatio Luna: Work It Out (Single) (La Sape)
- Being the bassist for Melbourne soul act, 30/70, ensures that Horatio Luna’s house project has some solid grooves. This leading single has the same lo-fi grit and charm of other Asutralian soul/jazz house producers like Prequel and Sam Weston, it’s built a love for what makes you move simply and sincerely. Full of Heart. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Le Pie: I Saw You Walking Down The Street/Put Me Down (Single)(Independent)
-As a newcomer to Le Pie's music, I am entranced. Just in time for RSD, this 7" is a gem. Uplifting, gut-wrenching vocals soaring to anthemic proportions on its A-side, then downtrodden and careworn, and eventually climactic on its B-side, this is melancholia, shoegaze, pop and grunge blended with near-perfection into something gorgeous. I have some catching up to do it seems. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Mezko: Come & Go (Single)(Inertia) - With their jagged guitar riffs, new-wave synth beats and cool-eyed krautrock aesthetic, Sydney-based duo Mezko more than earn their reputation as one of Australia’s most enthralling up and coming live acts, having won QLD fans most recently supporting Crooked Colours at The Triffid, and at Jungle Love Festival. New single Come & Go, the first taste from their recently announced forthcoming EP, is a sickeningly stylish slice of darkwave with visuals looking forward to an “androgynous future”, directed by Ellen Hodgson. (Liz Ansley)
Ms. 45: Neuromancer (Single) (Independent) - Really cool track by Melbourne based band Ms. 45. The eeriness and echoes of the vocals draws you in closer. The song gives you flashback, 80's nostalgia realness. Could totally imagine this track played as some neighbourhood kids ride their bikes into the forest. (Jade Rodrigo)
Neon Tetra:The End Begins Again (Single)(Indie) - Open up your ears and listen to the sultry sounds of Neon Tetra's latest single 'The End Begins Again'. A groovy psych-soul banger from the South Australians, it perfectly embodies the combination of rock and soul music with their signature saxophone, this song is sure to make you tap your feet and nod your head to the catchy rhythm of Neon Tetra. (Alkira Walsh)
WAWAWOW: Sabre The Toothtiger (Single)(Independent)
- This single is utterly bombastic, hugely ridiculous, obnoxiously loud, and I doubt it would work if it were any other way. Sabre The Toothtiger is a raucous affair, every member works their instrument as if their lives depend on it, the grooves are deep canyons, the riffs heavy as lead, the vocals distorted, urgent, all executed as tightly as humanly possible. This track lands somewhere between the realms of hip hop, synth-pop, psychedelica and prog-rock, the chemistry on show here is off the charts. WAWAWOW are definitely a group to see live, and I'll certainly be drooling with anticipation until I get the chance. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Zoë Fox and the Rocket Clocks: Warrior Princess (Single) (Thirds Music)
- Well isn't this track just a little bit groovy... Zoë and the gang have absolutely SKY-ROCKETED since their formation just last year. BLASTING into festivals slots at Falls in Lorne, NYE on the Hill, and The Hills Are Alive, along with supporting Didirri and The Teskey Brothers, it's clear that this Melbourne band is fast becoming a favourite. This single just makes me want to choreograph a 90's dance routine in my bed room... And what makes the song even cooler is the intention of the track as an inspirational female anthem about holding nothing back and being the best you can be. (Molly Jackson)