<p><span><span><span><span>- I think of Mimi Gilbert as a stranger to these shores, an old-school folk rambler who’s never in one place for long. It’s interesting to notice that nearly every place she turns up -walking long distances alone in Coffs Harbour, embracing vagabond freedom in Santa Cruz, recording a record in Wellington, or getting back to home for now in Melbourne- they’re all coastal towns, never too far from the sea. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

<p><span lang="en-GB">- Prior to the release of </span><span lang="en-GB"><strong>Pallbearer’s </strong></span><span lang="en-GB">new record, nearly half of it had either been put out as singles or as part of the </span><span lang="en-GB"><em><span>Quicksand of Existing</span></em></span><span lang="en-GB"><strong> </strong></span><span lang="en-GB">EP.

<p><span><span>- “<em>It’s October and I’m tired</em>” exhausts rapper Open Mike Eagle on his latest record <em>Anime, Trauma and Divorce</em>. Despite Mike claiming to have recorded this line last October, the sentiment still runs true now. An exploration of depression, divorce and self-love, Mike bares all on a humorous yet melancholy record that puts into perspective the necessity of helping yourself in what has been a disastrous twelve months.</span></span></p>

<p><span><span>- The solo albums of famous lead singers are often predictable but with Matt Berninger, the singer and lyricist of <strong>The National</strong>, the outcome was difficult to anticipate. The main reason being that Berninger does not play a single instrument and has no part in the writing of <strong>The National</strong>’s music. However, what is predictable is Berninger’s enamouring baritone and wonderfully neurotic lyrics. Written with a bevy of indie rock artist and produced by the legendary <strong>Booker T.