Claire Birchall: Running In Slow Motion
<p><span><span><span>- Apparently, if you live in Melbourne, you’ll know Claire Birchall</span><strong> </strong><span>a lot better than I do, thanks to her band, </span><strong>Claire Birchall & The Phantom Hitchhikers</strong><span>.
Roza Terenzi: Modern Bliss
<p><span><span>- Roza Terenzi has just released her debut album, <em>Modern Bliss</em>, on <strong>D. Tiffany</strong>’s label, <strong>Planet Euphorique</strong>. Terenzi and <strong>DJ Zozi</strong> collaborated for Planet Euphorique's inaugural EP in 2018 and Modern Bliss is the label's first LP.
Pinks Siifu: Negro
<p><span><span>- Stalwart followers have heard me bang on about the hypnagogic hip-hop scene for long enough, praising artists like <strong>MIKE</strong>, <strong>Standing On The Corner</strong>, and recent convert <strong>Earl Sweatshirt</strong> for their dreamy explorations of sample based jazz-rap. LA based Pink Siifu sits adjacent to scene progenitors, New York's<strong> sLUms </strong>collective, plying their abstract poetry with rasped yet reserved fusions of spoken word and RnB.
Rina Sawayama: SAWAYAMA
- SAWAYAMA, the self-titled debut from London based Japanese singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama is a revelation. Sure she’s influenced by fellow Londoners Charli XCX and Kero Kero Bonito, but Sawayama’s scope on this record covers exciting new territory. From the hard rock of STFU! to the disco-affected album highlight Comme des garcons (Like the Boys Do), Rina Sawayama finds her own ground amidst a golden age of experimental pop.
Datura4: West Coast Cosmic Highway
<p><span><span>- It's a standard dig at Western Australia to say its timeszone is not hours but decades behind its east coast compatriots. This ribbing lends itself a little too easy when talking about the crew of Datura4,<strong> </strong>taking on a tried-and-true method of psych-rock goodness with often walloping production. A minor caveat, I’ve not waded much into the waters of psych / stoner rock but after this delightful dip, it could very well slot into high rotation.
Brainbeau - 'Infinite'
4ZZZ's Album of the Week: Brainbeau - 'Infinite Ways'
The latest release from Brisbane's electric duo Brainbeau comes during one of their most challenging times yet, having travelled Europe on a low-budget for nine months, planning a move to Berlin, the pair are now stuck in Turkey as a result of COVID-19.
In an unfortunate attempt to make it back to Australia, Turkey banned inter-city travel before they could make their flight out, so they are now holed up in an apartment Cappadocia where they have decided to release the 'Infinite Ways' album as a way to make money now that they can no longer busk or gig. 'Infinite Ways' was recorded in lounge rooms and hostels throughout Europe, primarily Germany, Italy, Portugal, France, Poland, Bosnia, Albania, Greece, and Turkey.
The pair are safe and are asking for fans generosity in helping them afford basic accommodation, utilities and food which is equivalent to 450AUD/ month.
"If you could help us through this, we can help you later, and for now, hopefully, we can brighten your days with some free tunes. Would you like private access to our new stuff? We have two new albums worth of unreleased stuff, soon to be three, and random art we make to shamelessly share. Hot budget travel tips, like how to become weirdo travelling minstrels that everyone stares at, loads of other stories from our trip, like how to camp rough in the city, and the most minimal recording and camp set up we could manage, or whatever else floats your boat about us, because we'll divulge it all, just ask! ;)" - Kat and Chelvis, Brainbeau
You can read the full story and support Brainbeau during this time by following their Patreon at: www.patreon.com/BRAINBEAU
Primo!: Sogni
<p><span><span>- The second album from Melbourne’s Primo! arrives bearing a contrasting collage of paintings and portraits. It shows a more complex and obfuscated arrangement than the simple but elegant band photo that adorns their 2018 debut <em>Amici</em>, revealing something of the explosion of ideas that has taken place between them<em>.</em></span></span></p>
Lucinda Williams: Good Souls, Better Angels
<p><span><span>- It's forty-one years since Lucinda Williams released her debut album, twenty-two since she enjoyed a career renaissance with the country rock masterpiece <em>Car Wheels On A Gravel Road</em>. But the sixty-seven-year-old is back with <em>Good Souls, Better Angels</em> - a new album that sounds right at home in 2020.</span></span></p>
Fiona Apple: Fetch The Boltcutters
- For someone who’s always been a couple of steps away from being legit certifiable, Fiona Apple is extraordinarily resilient. That’s most true of her musical output and if the relentless truth telling she uses it as a vehicle for is accurate, as a person too.
Middle Name Dance Band: Middle Name Dance Tracks Vol.2
- Brisbane trio Middle Name Dance Band have just released their second record, suitable titled Middle Name Dance Tracks Vol. 2. This follow up volume is the effort of collaborators Megan Christensen (keys), Sam Stosurr (bass/keys) and Sampology (sampler/sequncer/mixing duties). They’ve managed to elaborate upon their sound over these four new tracks, taking a jazzy/improivisational approach to disco and house.