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Vladik: Sleep (Single)(Independent)
You may know local Brisbane darling Vlada Edirippulige from her other main role in garage pop 4-piece Major Leagues, but here she has given us an absolute treat with solo project Vladik. Her beautiful and dreamy first release ‘Sleep’ hopefully a sign of what to expect in the future. Looking forward to more to come… (Jasmine Dunn)
Pink Matter: Cleo (Single)(Independent)
Pink Matter is BACK, and what an intro - driving drums and warbling synths lead us climactically into the familiar Pink Matter groove. And by the time vocalist Kerry swoons in, a sexy bass riff has already alluded to the mood of the track. Salacious lyrics detailing 'Cleo' give off King Princess 'Talia' vibes and I am definitely not complaining... This song is sexy and very current, yet still holds true to the timeless, classic groove and style of the Pink Matter ladies. An epic second single from such a promising Brissie band. (Molly Jackson)
Wolf Wolf Wolf: Adam West (Single)(Independent)
The debut single from local rapscallions Wolf Wolf Wolf, Adam West kicks off with a bang and a howl, bouncing back and forth between restraint and unbridled punk rock. Lyrically a song of desperation and despondence, trying to look into an uncertain future, and the inevitability of ending up drunk and probably going through all of the aforementioned feelings again, reflected by the strong sea-shanty vibe in the chorus. A strong debut from some self-described dirtbags, I’d have to say more dirtbag rock is definitely needed. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Thelma Plum: Clumsy Love & Clair De Lune (Singles) (Warner Music Australia)
Making her highly anticipated return with two new singles - her first new music since 2014's Monsters EP - award-winning musician and Gamilaraay woman Thelma Plum has always made music with an incredible sense of charm, sensitivity and warmth and these are no exception. First turning out a beautiful version of Clair De Lune that possesses more subtlety than the 2014 track it's based on, then following up the punch with a chugging, hooky love song that reveals its complexities over several listens - it's clear Plum is poised for quite the takeover. Catch her playing at 4ZZZ sponsor venue The Foundry on August 31.
sacred blue: winter (Independent)
Opening with a sparse, restrained guitar played clean and soaked in reverb, this new 2-track single from locals sacred blue feels slack, downcast, careworn, but that’s the intent. Winter in Brisbane can be a confusing time, freezing in the shade, yet boiling in the sun is a tough weather condition to prepare for. inside the snow is a simple song that calls back to the likes of 90’s dream-pop/slowcore artists ala Low, Codeine or Red House Painters. On side-B however, we get a nice, hazy dirge of fuzzed-out, downtrodden pop in seasonal variations, and as the feedback mounts and the song climaxes, it all falls in on itself with a definitive sense of finality. Sacred blue have gifted us a winter gem with this one. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Tape/Off: Broadcast Park (Coolin' By Sound) Following up their AMP Longlisted 2014 debut Chipper ahead of a national tour, Tape/Off are at their most arresting and rousing yet on Broadcast Park. Named for "the area housing the tower for local community radio station 4ZZZ atop Mount-Cootha in Brisbane's inner-west," over 11 tracks Broadcast Park unpacks and questions "existentialism, the male psyche, societal conventions and restrictions, familial bonds and the myth of life on the road" with an unwaveringly palpable sense of anger across its grit and hairpin turns. (Liz Ansley)
Australian
Oetha: Sista Girls (Single) (Meridian Nights)
A brand new rap supergroup comprising Kokatha woman Lady Lash, Kunai & Gunditjmara woman Miss Hood and Townsville-born ACPA graduate Dizzy Doolan, Oetha (O - E - tha; Our Earth The Heart Acknowledges) make music that speaks to the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. In their soul/hip-hop debut they radiate positivity and solidarity, flexing their individual styles with easy finesse. “Sista Girl” is a perfect reflection of this year’s NAIDOC theme - #becauseofherwecan. The song reaches out to all those strong fearless females from top-level boardrooms down to those working in the grass roots & to the brave activists who have fought for our rights for generations. They fought for our rights but they also fought for keeping our cultural connection & spiritual side alive. Because of them our community values & morals have kept us connected & grounded,“ says Oetha. “The group’s forthcoming EP represents all Indigenous women, & all women in general. Given that women are the backbone of every family, community & society, it really a project for everyone in the country & planet earth.” (Liz Ansley)
HTRK: More To Enjoy (Single)(Mistletone Records)
Another release after offering their previous single ‘Mentions’ Melbourne duo HTRK’s new single ‘More To Enjoy’ follows on a similar sonic trajectory. The new musical leanings show us a more simple and raw form of song writing. Musically stripped back, the vocals of Jonnine Standish are more apparent, with a more story telling approach now being utilised. Very much enjoying this new direction from HTRK, it feels right and it feels like the natural progression following up from their last album release, 2014’s Psychic 9-5 Club. (Jasmine Dunn)
Porpoise Spit: God Yeah! (Indie)
Named for the town in iconic bastion of Australian cinema Muriel's Wedding, Melbourne's Porpoise Spit describe their sound as "equal parts rosé-rock and suburban punk-ballad". 1) I can't fault this, and 2) sign me the hell up. Having already had the privilege of falling in love with Porpoise Spit's weird and wondrous grab bag of anthemia during their set at GayTimes Festival earlier this year, I can only hope they're planning to tour their debut album - a "nod to riding out the hard times with your chosen family, queerness, heartbreak and sinking a few tins over some earth trembling bass" - our way soon. Keep your eyes peeled. (Liz Ansley)
Buzz Kull: Avoiding the Light (BURNING ROSE)
Immediately reminiscent of early Soft Moon recordings, Sydney’s Buzz Kill delivers another desolate yet bold electronic track. ‘Avoiding The Light’ is a snare driving, synth heavy, murky dive into the depths of a sea of joyful deprivation. It’s cold, it’s desolate and it’s everything one has come to expect from the dark wave solo project of Marc Dwyer. (Jasmine Dunn)
Stony Rises: Bicycles In The Moonlight (Independent)
Stony Rises is the main project of Australian songwriter Owen Ellemor, his songs largely reflecting the rugged country he grew up in. Owen understands the Great Aussie Songbook well, welding the iconic sounds of musicians as diverse as Paul Kelly, Rowland S. Howard and Robert Forster together into a collection of well-written and well-matured downbeat, blues-drenched folk rock songs with a focus on atmosphere, environment, the interior of the intellect and the spirit of activism. (Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Infinite Void: Endless Waves (Blackwire Records)
It’s been six long years waiting for this latest record by Melbourne’s Infinite Void and we should be very lucky indeed at having received it at all. The band calling hiatus last year and probably not having plans for touring this record but man, am I grateful this record saw the light of day at all. Endless Waves is 11 songs of absolute post punk glory. The songs are thoughtfully crafted and beautifully layered and naturally drenched in reverb. If the endless wave is 100% wet reverb then I’m letting it wash over me, not wanting to take a breath and not wanting to be resuscitated. And if this is the last we hear of Infinite Void then it’s true, all good things really do come to an end. (Jasmine Dunn)
Michael Savage: Won't Die Wondering EP (Independent)
A strong new album from Fremantle's Michael Savage, blending bits and pieces of british-pop, psych-rock and jangle-pop into spectacularly large sounding arrangements, coaxing hooks out of colloquial corners, breaking into belted-out, soaring, anthemic pop choruses. Won't Die Wondering is co-produced by Ricky Maymi(Brian Jonestown Massacre) and his playing can be heard throughout, a strong choice of producer given the comparable sound. Mr. Savage's soft spot for The Clean and The Zombies has served the album well, and brings a frantic spark of energy and playfulness to this superb slab of power-pop retro rock.(Clayton Bick-Paterson)
Overseas
Ólafur Arnalds:Saman (Erased Tapes/ Good Manners Music)
A beauty of a track from the Icelandic composer. This is one to sit back to with your eyes closed and a cup of tea while the rain hits your corrugated roof. Clearly wearing his Nils Frahm influences on his sleeve, Arnalds abuses the mechanical sound of the piano hammers moving in and around the belly of the instrument to add a textural side to the music reminiscent of Frahm's work. Arnalds ensures the sounds don't distract from the gorgeous melody and harmonic movement of its shifting, sombre palate consisting of mostly minor chords interlaced with major mixtures and colorful additive harmonies. This is a piece that will make you want to play piano all day. (Peter Strasser)