Local
The Dangermen: Magical Thinking(Swashbuckling Hobo)
-This album is the follow up to the Dangermen's last release circa 2006, and between all of these red hot tones, shouted demands for chips and gravy and song titles like "Time O'Clock", you can hear a deep appreciation for the various incarnations of Australia's take on punk rock. A pinch of The Saints here, some Birdman, and some vicious humour thrown in for good measure. The whole affair would pair extremely well with a tinnie of good cheap lager, so much so that I am tempted to walk out of this building to go pick some up. (Clayton Bick-Patterson)
Marly Luske: Fire Fires (Wildlife Recordings)
- Spanning a variety of electronic styles, Marly Luske’s irrepressible character throughout this album is at once playful and pensive. From Drum ’n’ Bass to quaint lo-fi Bossas, there are enough skilful twists and turns that would have you believe that you’ve been transported back to the heights if IDM’s rich diversity in the 90’s. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Primitive Motion: Feed the Signals (Single) (Bedroom Suck Records/Remote Control Records) -Stripping it right back to that of just saxophone, piano and a wistful expanse, Primitive Motion’s celestial lead single is enthralling. Contemplative and freeing, there’s something of a cosmic spice in this song that is somewhat hallucinatory. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
WAFIA:VIII (EP)(Future Classic) -Another great release from the Netherlands-born, Brisbane-based, Iraqi/Syrian artist, some of her previous single releases are collected and combined here into a 6-track EP. With infectious beats, distorted synths, the songs just keep on dropping into authentic and anthemic tunes with soul aplenty. (Clayton Bick-Patterson)
Australian
Ok Sure: Pleomorphism (Indie) - This is a powerful body of work from DJ and electronic producer Ok Sure. The Melbourne artist displays an ability as textually abstract as Oneohtrix Point Never and a personal resolve as formidable as Zola Jesus. Pleomorphism stays true to it’s conceptual layout and is a fantastic realisation of it’s applicability to sonic crafting and storytelling. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
The Seven Ups: Stampede / Mountain Pass (Indie) - The momentum that builds in both of theses singles from stalwarts The Seven Ups surpasses the familiar garagey psyche of King Gizzard and pushes into the grander realms of kraut exploration. Melbourne’s party troupe have moved into a place of unrelenting focus for the musician and de-individuation for the listener and it really is a lot of fun. Let it go, all of it and let the airwaves carry you elsewhere. (Nick Rodwell)
Spike Vincent: Lie In The Dust (Single)(Dinosaur City Records) - Lie In The Dust sizzles and pumps along with the strength of the entire catalogue of 80’s Australiana. Sydney’s Spike Vincent writes with the untainted sensibility of a youthful INXS and the candid humanity of James Reyne. (Nick Rodwell)
Tropical Fu*k Storm: You Let My Tyres Down (Single) (TFS Records/Mistletone/Inertia) - TFS continue with their captivating series of original single complimented with an intriguing cover. You Let My Tires Down drags out that sobering Liddiard lyricism and sprawling strangle of guitars that is at once pleasing and haunting. The B-side of the single is a cover of The Divinyls’ Back To The Wall. Sung by Fiona Kitschin and Erica Dunn, it’s equally as mesmerising and displays the bands depth of ability. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Warm Stranger: Burning Ghost Triptych (EP)(esc.rec) -The core of this release is made up of samples from ancient shellac records and expired cassettes, with the addition of field recordings, analog drums and digital programming to complete the picture. A lush ambient lo-fi experience for the ghosts in your mind room: turn on the light and watch them burn. (Clayton Bick-Patterson)
Overseas
Mount Eerie: Distortion (Single)(P.W Elverum & Sun) - Distortion is the new single from Mount Eerie's (one of Phil Elverum's various musical monikers) forthcoming album "Now Only", set for release in March 2018. This track continues with the themes explored in "A Crow Looked At Me", love, loss, death, mourning, only with a much more diverse range of instruments and sounds. Digital interferences wash over endlessly, occasionally diverting into a piano melody, a sung/spoken word passsage, a fuzz-laden bass riff filled with implications of doom. Definitely an album to rub your hands together over, though it may still leave you with a feeling of cold. (Clayton Bick-Patterson)
Royal Brat: Full Tilt Duster (Single) (Moniker Records) - Bratty, ratty and fuzzed up to the hilt, Full Tilt Duster from Minneapolis queer punks Royal Brat is as righteous as it is garagey. It's a thrasher that cuts through like a classic and snarls with the intent of a thousand marginalised voices. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)