Local
Midas.Gold: Love Me Like Alison (Single) (R.E.A.L Music)
- From a simple loosie to full-bodied releases to what seems like constant interstate shows, Hip Hop artist, Midas.Gold doesn’t stop working. This latest single is a psychedelic balance of ascending individualism and some hard-hitting demonstrations of why he can be confident in his path. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Sprout: Hectic Moon (Supersonic / GCR)
- Local experimental label, Supersonic, continue to propel the talents of Brisbane’s avant garde with the release of Sprout’s Hectic Moon. The minimalist classical trio are capable of great tension and release, conjuring scenes of quaint pastures and jived-out abstract dive bars - the Miyazaki escape, the Jarmusch aside, striving for the Sakamoto impact. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
hedfog: The Space Between Us (Independent)
- This 5-track EP from local act Hedfog (Peter Greasley and occasionally other east-coast musicians) is a spectacular pop release. It is physically impossible to listen to THE SPACE BETWEEN US without at least tapping a foot, with grooves so infectious that somebody should issue a public health warning. Interspersed and interwoven with gorgeous keys and synth textures, then combined with Greasley's humble, calm approach to singing, everything slots together beautifully. This EP was made for the dance floor, its bouncing pop beats giving way to thoughtfully arranged, sincere, sombre songwriting. Hedfog has crafted a piece of artwork within this release. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
WAAX:Labrador (Single)(Handshake/Dew Process)
- Simultaneously the most affecting and vulnerable offering yet from hometown punk heroes WAAX, Labrador (the suburb, not the dog) builds via guitar stabs and chugging rhythms to an almighty instrumental and lyrical wallop. A raw, hooky and unflinchingly candid portrait of mental health and body image struggles. (Liz Ansley)
Australian
Ecca Vandal: Your Orbit (Ft. Sampa the Great) (Single) (DEW PROCESS / ISLAND RECORDS)
- Groovy new tune from Ecca Vandal. Oozing a 90's hip hop vibe, this track transports you into a new universe. Sampa the Great's rap verse will get anyone up showing their best moves. The backing vocals are mesmorising and Ecca Vandal's voice are too cool to be on this earth. (Jade Rodrigo)
Gurrumul: Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) (Skinnyfish Music)
- The first ever album in an Indigenous language to chart at number one, Gurrmul’s posthumous effort is unspeakably beautiful, heartrending and unique. A cacophonous, euphoric meeting of traditional songs and harmonised chants from Gurrmul’s traditional Yolngu life with western orchestral arrangements that will last the test of time. (Liz Ansley)
Jordan Dennis:Crumbs (Single)(Independent)
- What. A. Track. Simultaneously mega punchy and super smooth, "Crumbs" just makes you feel soooo good. Jordan Dennis - admired frontman of Billy Davis and The Good Lords - presents to you an undeniably, unbeatable debut single. With pop-synths, brass stabs, and a driving rhythmic flow, the verses pair perfectly with an sugary chorus from Blasko. The entire song is addictive, delicious, and will get you jumping. (Molly Jackson)
Suss Cunts: Temper (Hysterical Records)
- The super power-trio that form Melbourne's SUSS CUNTS are back with a vengeance, this time with a darker, harder edge to their sound. The production is polished and sharp, intensely so when compared to the looser garage-rock numbers displayed on their earlier self-titled release, and while some of the raw power is lost, you can immediately tell that they are a much tighter band. With the songs more cohesive and chaotic than ever before, TEMPER is a visceral jab to the throat from SUSS C_NTS, grinding, grooving basslines, head-punching drums an a taste of everything from thrash to 50's pop deftly combined with their usual garage rock, lifting their sound to new heights on each track. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Tru' & WULFE:Make Believe (Single)(Independent)
- The second collaboration between Sydney-based electronic/pop artist and producer Tru’, and Perth-based producer WULFE, Make Believe bleeds into your consciousness from an unknowable place. Tru’ aka Sara Tamim’s muffled vocals are a mysterious and beautiful centrepiece, pulling the track’s dance-facing production back from full-blown euphoria, but it’s still there, underneath the surface. (Liz Ansley)
Mares: Aeroplane Mode (Single)(Psychic Hysteria)
- Mares are a quartet from Melbourne, who carefully craft their gorgeous, downbeat songs. Upon hearing AEROPLANE MODE from their upcoming debut album, it felt like a post-mental breakdown drive inland, a night sitting outside of a hospital in winter, all of the most desperate and depressing situations you might end up in when you live in the urban sprawl. Each instrument interacts with another, yet never as a whole. The bass looks forlornly to the drums, the guitar repeats itself monotonously. A sort of careworn poetry is woven through these elements, and another guitar caterwauls and screams for emphasis where necessary. Fans of Dirty Three, Rowland S. Howard, the Gun Club might find something they love here, AEROPLANE MODE is the broken, loveless soundtrack to your next aimless late night drive. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Horace Bones: Sex Beast (Single)(Thirds Music)
- Manic Melbourne band, Horace Bones, only just hold this distended throat-tearer of a tune together. Harnessing the same deep and dark energy that animates the likes of Steve Lucas, this rocker is rampant with the carnal drive to excite, to explode, to exist. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Yeldebert: DreamZ (Single) (Indie)
- From the same kaleidoscopic world of Tetrahedra and NO ZU, Yeldebert is a heady, modulated bump of art-pop. DreamZ circles onwards and upwards like Animal Collective riding a mythological Pelican god upon an updraft ,offering strong pop sensibilities for you to hold whilst ascending through the spheres of reality. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Overseas
Yukon Era: Feel (Single)(Independent) - Straight outta NZ, the country whose stars we like claim as our own, Yukon Era are coming back to AUS and the UK this May to spruik their long-awaited debut album. FEEL is the first single for our listening pleasure, and it should satisfy those who have been left in a state of anticipation following the release of their last EP. With a powerhouse rhythm section behind them, the guitars are free to generate waves of chorus and reverb soaked texture, punctuating this pastiche with emphatic stabs and slashes of discordance. Yukon Era may be young, but they show the chops, ideas and restraint of an extremely mature band. Definitely a group to watch. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Shira: Am I Beautiful (Single)(INDEPENDENT)
- Fairy tune folk song from New York singer-songwriter Shira. Acousitc track with an empowering message, Shira sings of her friend fighting through breast cancer. Light ukulele strums and soft vocals combine to deliver a heartwarming message. (Jade Rodrigo)