Play All

Local

Arig: Mama Said (Single)(Independent)

- Arig might only have a few tracks out in the world, but she’s made a huge impression - if you’ve been tuned into Zed any time over the past two months chances are you’ve already heard her shimmering single 77, and she’s been making waves with her live set too. Mama Said is an intensely raw and emotional blues-pop cut from her upcoming debut EP Attrition, which sees the Eritrean-born singer wrestle with a tumultuous upbringing at the hands of her mother, ultimately finding catharsis through the power of that expression and self-actualisation. Attrition is out on April 27 and is shaping up to be one of the most exciting local debuts of the year. (Liz Ansley)

DEATH CLUB 7: Brakes On (Single)(Independent)

- Aside from having what is surely the most appealing possible name to our millennial brand of nihilistic nostalgia (and, let’s just say it, a VERY strong aesthetic), local producer Death Club 7 has been quietly building an impressive catalogue of jittery, shining work that is as emotionally vulnerable as it is idiosyncratic over the past two years. Brakes On, latest cut from new album Forevernevernever finds DC7 in his slickest pop form so far, doubtless his most melodramatically danceable yet, propelled by piano stabs and a bouncing beat. If you grew up loving disco-ball pop and skittering RnB/dance tunes, do yourself a favour and get acquainted because there truly ain’t no party like a Death Club party. - (Liz Ansley)

Soviet X-Ray Record Club: Weekend (Single)(Independent)

- This new single from SXRC has me by the heart, anybody who hasn't had the pleasure of hearing their gorgeous sound live needs to drag themselves out to experience it personally. Words cannot capture anything so colossal in terms of emotion, scope and sound...a shaft of light stretching infinitely in time with the universe. I will be the idiot standing there with his hands in the air, eyes closed, forgetting to even dance amongst the wash of beautiful droning guitars wailing. Definitely a keeper. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)

Matthew Armitage: Love From Afar (Single)(Independent)

- Meeting at the crossroads of Taj Mahal and J.J. Cale, Gold Coast’s Matthew Armitage has a hearty grasp on all that comes to shine from holding his guitar when he’d rather be holding the person he loves. It’s a low-key verandah jam and is sure to charm. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)

Australian

A.B. Original: Blaccout (Single)(Golden Era Records)

- At this point, it feels redundant to call any A.B. Original track a “warning”. Despite what the sirens on this first taste of new music might indicate, the unstoppable duo aren’t trying to warn anyone - they’re already in full flight, and they know the power that individuals can wring (What you doin’ with your life, girl?/You wanna change their minds, girl?). Swapping out the West Coast sonic hallmarks of Reclaim Australia for what feels like Run the Jewels-esque trap, Blaccout is frenetic, amped-up and indestructible. Briggs & Trials are thankfully currently working on a new record to follow up their ARIA-winning debut. (Liz Ansley)

Wing Defence: Stuck (Single)(Independent)

- Wing Defence are two gal pals with a thing for netball from Adelaide, and their new single 'Stuck' says the 'F' word a lot. Being a duo, the music and melodies are simple, and I wouldn't want them any other way. Hopefully they get their bibs on and "insert netball move" their way up to Brisbane soon, since this track is so fun to sing along to. Let's all give each other a cheeky side glance as we curse along with them. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)

Amyl and The Sniffers: Cup Of Destiny (Single)(Flightless Records)

- In celebration of their signing to Flightless Records, Amyl and The Sniffers have dropped a most righteous single. It’s a self-assured and defiant hammer of raucous punk-rock offering up a gleefully rubbish guitar solo and Amyl’s captivating delivery of hard consonants. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)

Yes Yes Whatever: Mushrooms (Single)(Independent)

- Mushrooms is a great track, a wild power-pop-punk monster that lurches about wildly, that perfect mix between doo-wop pop, tight, fast punk and the simple end of the rock 'n roll stick. Yes Yes Whatever are a relatively new act from melbourne, a 3-piece that you'd desperately need your dancing shoes on for, I sincerely doubt that anybody could cross their arms and look bored with these guys playing. Predictability is fun, especially when it messes with your head, and gives you something you're not expecting;in this case you're ready for a guitar solo, but instead the song explodes into a chaotic wall of punk noise for a couple of bars, then seamlessly slips back into smoothness. It is impossible not to nod your head to this bouncy little bopper at least a smidge, and hopefully we'll be hearing more from these boys! (Clayton Bick-Paterson)

AU DRÉ: Cheap Champagne (Single)(Indie)

- Melbourne duo, AU DRÉ, have crafted a pop monster, it’ll lure you with club pulses, disorient you as it collapses into chaotic noise and lift you with a jazz-riddled outro. It flits about upon the whims of modern music, incorporating seemingly disparate parts into a grander sense of self. What a wild ride. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)

Reuben Ingall: Thread (Independent)

- Reuben Ingall has crafted a gorgeous and inimitably Australian sounding record with THREAD. Reuben softly picks his way through meticulously melodic arpeggios, samples and field recordings giving the release a distinctly familiar and homely feeling throughout. Instrumentally, this collection of songs feels more like an exploration of texture than one of country, but I cannot listen to this recording without strong, inexplicably familiar imagery entering my mind of it's own accord. A strong release based in the tradition of folk, but recorded digitally with a psychedelic attitude towards repetition and exploratory improvisation. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)

Overseas

Bluestaeb: Mind Feat. Noah Slee & MAIA (Single) (Jakarta Records)

- With some soulful connections to the Pacific, Berlin’s Bluestaeb has released a smooth leading single to his impending album. It’s for those who long for that slick Soulquarian vibe as New Zealand’s Noah Slee and Australia’s Maia provide a duet that balances intimacy with resilience and infuses it with plenty of spirit. (Nicholas J. Rodwell)