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An Horse: Get Out Somehow (Single)(Independent)
- Brisbane-born duo Kate Cooper and Damon Cox release an impossibly catchy, driving indie rock classic in ‘Get Out Somehow’ ahead of select North American dates with peers Camp Cope and The Front Bottoms. Wringing out a feint sense of universal listlessness without ever losing its sense of fun, the track is a welcome return from An Horse, who we last heard from in 2011 with Walls. (Liz Ansley)
VOIID: Not For You (Single)(Independent)
- Another razor-sharp barb from local punks VOIID, following their much-beloved Silly Girl. Ferocious and straight to the point, VOIID assert the much belaboured artist’s cry over (and over) again that they don’t do this - any of it - for you. We’re still glad they do. (Liz Ansley)
The Screwjacks: B&U (Single)(Ridgeback Music)
- The new single from Brisbane trio (formerly duo) Screwjacks kicks off like a gunshot, driven by scratchy, muted guitar stabs that bend and warble out a stomping, melodic passage. An absolute powerhouse rhythm section chugs and pulses underneath, the drums are played with ferocious passion, guiding drive-heavy bass lines that pound along the length of the fretboard, chasing all melodic possibility. With a focus on delivery and dynamics, the singer laments the various emotional and societal drawbacks of living under the poverty line, delivered with a smile and a wink in the passionate and characteristic drawls and yelps articular to that perfect Aussie blend of pop/post/garage punk. It’s high-energy, unapologetic punk delivered with sincerity and passion, with a healthy dose of self-awareness, never taking themselves too seriously. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Hatchie: Sugar & Spice (Ivy League)
- Having floated seamlessly into global consciousness via a hat-trick of delightful confections, long-time beloved local musician Harriette Pilbeam released her debut EP as Hatchie on Friday last week. A shoegazey, feelings-forward heart-warmer and welcome salve for the cooling temperatures. (Liz Ansley)
Sum Of Us: Forrest (Single)(Independent)
If you ever needed a refreshing reminder that Brisbane houses some of the best progressive metal talent in the world, you've got a huge serving of it here in Sum of Us's "Forrest". Angular and heavy riffs spaced out with borderline anthemic choruses from vocalist Bryce Carleton, this mix of the South Easts prog talent (featuring members of Red In Tooth, Kodiak Empire, and Osaka Punch) pull together to produce groove-based riffs and melodic sections. Sure to keep you stimulated on a dull day, get into this ripper. (Peter Strasser)
The Steele Syndicate: Ours (Single)(Independent)
- Brisbane-based octet, The Steele Syndicate, releases funky new track titled Ours. With great mastery, the track showcases a broad range of instrumentation, including a pan flute sounding instrument, saxophone, trombone, trumpet and I'm sure there are more hidden gems in there. Bringing together elements of old school funk, reggae, ska and indie rock the track just keeps delivering. Starting with a funky beat the song then builds with the pan flute then explodes into a Mission Impossible style instrumental passage. Four and a half minutes of punchy fun. (Jade Rodrigo)
Australian
Fraser A. Gorman: Walking To Oman's (Single) (MILK! RECORDS)
- Charming new track from Melbourne artist, Fraser A. Gorman, featuring the guest vocals of indie pop singer, Hachiku. The melodic harmonies shared between Gorman and Haichku make you feel the warm and fuzzies inside. With a blues/jazz vibe, this tune would be perfect to accompany you while you sip your morning coffee. (Jade Rodrigo)
Milan Ring:Obscured (Single) (MXMY)
- Sydney-based Milan Ring’s behind-the-scenes achievements are many - sessions and credits with the likes of DRAM, SZA, The Social Experiment and more - so it only follows that both her debut solo offerings have both been so impressive. Following in the “future-soul” footsteps of the smooth 2063, Obscured showcases the multi-instrumentalists’ preternatural ability to harness tension and restraint. (Liz Ansley)
Orlando Furious: Named (Tenth Court Records)
- The long awaited debut release from Orlando Furious is here, thanks in part to Tenth Court Records! After years of various bandcamp pages, a long running Soundcloud page filled with gems, the music of Orlando Furious has landed in Brisbane and found a proper release in physical form. Filled with glitched out beats, touching, abstract almost-rants touching on everything from the personal, the political and the plain old strange- Orlando Furious is here, unapologetically unpacking and exposing the self and all of the contradictions, concessions, obsessions and addictions that are part and parcel of existence. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
The Pretty Littles: Don Dale (Single) (Sunset Pig Records)
- Don Dale thrusts you headfirst into the world of the mistreatment of our youth in detention centres through the eyes of one of the adolescents being mistreated. This track is a blunt reminder of how bad things are in our country and The Pretty Littles have captured the emotional outrage in a single short and catchy tune. Don't skip over this one. (Peter Strasser)
Oscar Key Sung: No Disguise (Good Manners)
- Ahead of his launch show at The Foundry on June 23rd, lush-pop purveyor Oscar Key Sung’s new EP No Disguises is a multi-textured, widescreen offering that fuses driving pulses with delicate, vulnerable vocals. Intimate and expansive all at once, the EP is a shimmering triumph of modern pop music. (Liz Ansley)
Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange: Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange (Wax Museum Records)
- An overwhelming amount of talent on display from some of Melbourne's most entertaining jazz/fusion musicians, but don't think it's simply a self-indulgent-fest. ZFEX, headed by 30/70's drummer "Ziggy Zeitgeist", bring a mass of deep-pocket grooves and diverse melodies while staying utterly cohesive as a band. See their live performance of "Marcus Garvey" to see what I mean! (Peter Strasser)
Gamjee: Crooked (Independent)
- The last we heard from Gamjee was the release of the absolutely huge single "William H. Vanderbilt's Vampire", sounding like an unholy fusion of US-Psych and 80s thrash. On CROOKED, they have a few more tricks up their sleeve, introducing more elements of classic psych on like flutes and detuned guitars playing cute little twee melodies. I could compare various tracks to various psych influenced groups, so I will. "Holy Microwave" bounces around the room with ecclecticism like Thee Oh Sees circa 2008, "Welcome The Seeds" reeks of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, but the amount of energy Gamjee inject into these sounds shakes the foundations, taking the word "derivative" right out of your mouth and placing it in an orifice elsewhere. You might find youself flying through rainbow space at times, but you will fall back onto solid, grounded, fuzzed-out riffs every time. Definitely a band to see live, get out your paisley shirts and your psychedelics kids! (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Overseas
Ladi6: Royal Blue (Silent Jay, Sensible J & Leigh Fisher Remix) (Single)(Low Key Source)
- Lifted from Ladies’ Royal Blue 3000 EP, Silent Jay (Silent Jay & Jace XL), Sensible J (REMI / Sampa The Great) and Leigh Fisher spin the euphoric title track into a laid-back groove that slides in neatly behind the beat. This stylish rework was released as one side of a limited edition AA side vinyl release in celebration of New Zealand Music Month, with Raiza Biza enlisting REMI’s help to remix ‘Strong Woman’ for the flip. (Liz Ansley)
Sudan Archives: Sink (Stones Throw / Inertia)
- Forever an innovator, Sudan Archives’ Sink pushes her sound into new territory on Sink, merging the violin traditions of her namesake with clanging production, muffled cavernous synths, RnB sensibilities, glitch-folk, Afrobeat and more. Named as such because “it’s the way I want my music to make you feel”, Sink is the sound of an artist reconnecting and expressing on her own terms. (Liz Ansley)
Kabaka Pyramid: Kaught Up (Single) (Ghetto Youths International / Bebble Rock Music)
- Kabaka Pyramid comes through with an outrageously catchy urban/dancehall fused track and uses his authentic Jamaican accent to its full potential. Aided by a crisply balanced production from the Barcelona based producer Genis Trani, this song is a guaranteed earworm to keep you in its groovy mood. (Peter Strasser)