Local
VOIID: Silly Girl (Indie) - The palpable contempt within the four chords and three minutes of VOIID’s single Silly Girl is only made more damning as the those backing vocal Woo-oos slip in like a 1-2 move. Their peers best behave themselves lest they wanna have their actions exposed in a harsh cold light. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Australian
I Hold The Lion’s Paw: Abstract Playgrounds (Earshift) - Melbourne contemporary jazz ensemble I Hold The Lion’s Paw have released an album that shift’s and moves through rhythms and textures with a playful elegance. It remain’s fairly low-key in it’s exploration of groove and atmosphere, like if Jon Scofield and Fela Kuti were practicing their capoeira whilst Miles Davis tries to get the smoke machine to work. You know what i mean. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Lack The Low: Futureheavy (Single) (Art As Catharsis) - 'Futureheavy' the new single from Melbourne avant-pop producer Lack The Low, shows Kat Hunter's ear for rich sonic soundscapes reaching new heights. 'Futureheavy' is the first taste of her upcoming record 'One Eye Closed' a 3 year DIY journey to be released through Sydney label Art As Cartharsis. This song really grabbed me, particularly through the meticulously layered walls of production. Starting as a sombre vocal melody with piano, the track takes a left turn into walls of jarring syths and off-kilter drums, and falls softly to rich horns in its conclusion. Reminiscent of Bjork and Joanna Newsom, Hunter's vocals grow with each element introduced, creating a lush experience with something a little darker under the surface. (Fraser Coker)
Mod Con: Neighbourhood (Single) (Poison City Records) - Like stepping from clean gutters to colorbond fences to the apex of terracotta uniformity, Mod Con’s Neighbourhood rises in it’s post-punk intensity with every confronting verse. Singer and guitarist, Erica Dunn, nearly sings herself hoarse in a fierce determination to strip the tint from the windows and have you see clearly beyond the cosmetic social harmony. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Murray Darling: Leave Me This Way (Single) (Independent) -Australiana-obsessed rock and roll outta Sydney, from their name to their tunes, this single reeks of our nation. One for fans of Peter Bibby, Eddy Current and Scott & Charlene's Wedding. (Clayton Bick Patterson)
Planete: Alone in Parallel / Faded Memory (Good Manners / Anjunadeep) - Sharing the gentle worldly air as Bonobo, Planete’s latest double single is an exemplary feat in graceful dance production. Both Alone in Parallel and Faded Memory have the clear, calm energy of Yogic discipline: a focus on balanced dynamics and particularly mindful of letting textures come and go with ease. It’s a delight. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)
Sleep Decade: First Leaves (Single)(Dusky Tracks / Little Lake) -A track that immediately begins to colour the space it inhabits, First Leaves is a sparse, melodic and melancholy arrangement that is simple yet all-encompassing, coastal isolation, small town laments and suburban loneliness are all implied. An interesting debut single from their forthcoming record COLLAPSE. (Clayton Bick Patterson)