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Local
Total Pace:73 (Single) (Independent)
- Touting themselves as a "souper" group with members of local rock outfits DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, Tape/Off, I Heart Hiroshima and beyond, Total Pace have come together to bring forth a single titled '73' - a thrashing killer punk song. (Alkira Walsh)
The PB's: My Actual Dad EP (Independent)
- There I was, sitting there listening to the new EP from The PB's, tapping my feet, nodding my head, the usual things one does when listening to garage rock. Suddenly, halfway through the EP, my jaw dropped. The first two songs on this delightful local EP are raucous fist pumping garage-rock influenced punk numbers, whereas the last two songs completely change pace, driven by melody and passion. The guitar melodies are executed in a style akin to Midwest emo bands ala MINERAL/CAP'N JAZZ, yet the relentlessly punk approach keeps things sincere. The PB's have written a great EP, without allowing themselves to stray into derivative territory. F#CK SCHOOL! (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Emily Jane:Behind Closed Doors (Single)(Independent)
- A powerful and personal track that explores abusive relationships and domestic violence, singer-songwriter Emily Jane reaches out a hand to anyone suffering in silence by breaking hers. You can catch Emily Jane playing as part of the SEED showcase in Queen Street Mall on July 20. (Liz Ansley)
Locust Revival: Her (Single) (Independent)
- A driving goth-rock jam from solo project Locust Revival, but also the beginning of the end (perhaps), with a farewell album in the works for later this year. That being said, there are also rumours swirling that Locust Revival will be back in 2019 as a full band. Watch this space... (Liz Ansley)
REBEL YELL: HIRED MUSCLE (Rice Is Nice)
- Arriving on Friday last week via Swiss Army Knife USB, REBEL YELL's latest album HIRED MUSCLE is a heady trip through her dark, gritty, and squelchy universe. Tracks like TOXIC, HUMAN TRANSACTION, and LET GO exemplify the attention to detail and dense, articulate sound design of the record that makes it more than a sum of its songs. Coupled with her monotone and matter-of-fact vocals delivered through heavy robotic sounding filters, REBEL YELL welcomes you to the dark caverns of her sound and doesn't let you go. (Peter Strasser)
Card Houses x APEman: Somebody Go Do Something! (Independent)
- Two of Brisbane's finest team up on an intense, break-neck collaboration that they're well aware many "may not survive". A spiky, propulsive blend of hardcore punk, drum and bass and ambient electronica that's steadfast in both its mission and delightful nonsense. (Liz Ansley)
Australian
Little Ugly Girls:Tractor (Single)(Chapter Music)
- Legendary Tasmanian riot grrrl group Little Ugly Girls (or LUGs) have never released a record, despite forming in the early 90s, but that's going to change on August 3rd, with a very limited run of 500 pressings. Taut, impassioned lead single Tractor is an electrifying taste of what's to come - one for the collection for sure. (Liz Ansley)
CLYPSO:Pop Roll Flow (Single) (Alt Cntrl)
- An electronic pop tune that would get your head boppin in no time. This single by CLYSPO has the vibes of a late night disco party at a skate boarding rink in the 80's. It is catchy and fresh with only one intention, get you moving! (Alkira Walsh)
Jessica Says:Brand New Thing (Single)(Chapter Music)
- Classically trained cellist/pop-noir artist Jessica Says lays her insecurities bare on her forthcoming EP Downers. Heartbreaking imperfections bleed through the minimalist lead single Brand New Thing to make this one really memorable. (Liz Ansley)
Feels: They Need us ft. Stella Donnelly (Single)(WOMPP)
- Lyrically based on real sentences that classically trained percussionists & producers Feels, and alt-folk hero Stella Donnelly, have personally had hurled at them, fizzing minimalist pop gem They Need Us is chooses a powerful path: don't refute, just repeat the "bullshit" (and it is) back and show them how ridiculous they sound. It's the first single from Feels' WOMPP label - through which they also run an Ableton user community group and booking agency to encourage skill development and confidence in women, gender non-conforming and non-binary folk making music, and we couldn't be more excited to see what they do next. (Liz Ansley)
Fia Fiell: All In the Same Room (Nice Music)
- A stirring, deep and soulful study in melody and dynamics, the anticipated second album from Melbourne's notorious synthesis goddess FIA FIELL(aka Carolyn Schofield) is awash with swells of emotion, soaring from the greatest of heights to the most unplumbed of depths. Best listened to at high volume, these pieces of ambience command the listener's attention, a wonderful achievement in the genre. So much care has been taken with the mix, the extreme attention to detail is at once obvious and blissful. Put this on in your bedroom at night, turn it up, and float away...(Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Overseas
Ibeyi and Emicida: Hacia El Amor (Single)(Lab Fantasma / Sterns Music Brasil / Remote Control)
- Seeing the international sense of unrest and discord as a chance to be more connected than ever before, Paris-based twins Ibeyi teamed up with Brazilian rapper Emicida and their own mother to pen - in English, Portuguese and Spanish - a merging of traditionalist and modern electronica that communicates "a lesson of African tradition", promoting a trip to the spiritual world, Orum, visiting the orixás deities, from Xango to Exú, to find a universal sense of love and equality. (Liz Ansley)
DEAF: Truancy (Single)(Independent)
- This is the first single from Wellington quintet DEAF's upcoming debut EP, due out later this year, and it is a stunner. Taking influence from the essential bands of the british post-punk movement, fusing those sounds with early dream-pop, DEAF have gifted unto us a youthful, yet sincere song. The vocals make me think of a medicated Alex DeLarge, with a delivery reminiscient of Mark E. Smith, David Kilgour, loud, bombastic, spat at you, from a kiss on the cheek to a drag on a cigarette followed by a devilish wink, Truancy is the kind of song that you get stuck on. Don't say you weren't warned! (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Tal: TAL (Independent)
- This gem of an EP is the perfect introduction to the duo. Intertwining their cultural sounds of Malyasia-Indian with ambient dreamy electronic nuances and acoustic folk instrumentation. These sisters are sure to take you on a mystical journey executed by their unique ability to combine both dreamy genres! (Alkira Walsh)
Alice Glass: Mine (Single)(Loma Vista Recordings / Caroline Australia)
- Alice Glass is in charge of her own story on this lilting, sprawling track, reminding us of her own self-destructive internal struggle. Paired with haunting visuals starring Violet Chakchi, Glass's narrative is hers to shape now and all the more engaging for it. She might have missed us with her recent Australian tour, but here's hoping she'll be back soon. (Liz Ansley)