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Local
K Mak: Play With Me (Single)(Independent)
Local Brisbane Cellist Kathryn McKee’s new single ‘Play With Me’ begins simplistically yet somewhat ominously. The layers that begin to unfurl as the song progresses are decadent enough to hold their own in what is a relatively minimalist song, thus showing the strength in her songwriting. K Mak will be performing a show at the clandestine Spring Hill Resovoirs in August, the cavernous space an excellent fit for her ethereal new single. (Jasmine Dunn)
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Morning Harvey: Are You Ready To Go? (Single) (Independent)
The new Morning Harvey single Are You Ready to go is as sunny and opportunity filled as its name would suggest. The band make sure to fill the track to the brim with personality and the kind of optimism found only in good indie rock. With a focus on catchy and repetitive rhythms and choruses, the answer to the title question is a resounding yes. (James Chadwick)
Simi Lacroix: Eyez On Tha Prize (Best Love) (Single)(Independent)
There shouldn't be anything good about some post-ironic 80s pop, and yet Simi Lacroix proves me wrong. Not only is the music video hilarious the actual track is full of delicious sounding synthesizers, drum machines, cheesy vocal effects, and some unashamedly catchy grooves. Where there should be annoyance is only joy, and Simi Lacroix goes from strength to strength with this latest single. (Peter Strasser)
The Goon Sax Make Time For Love (Single)(Chapter Music)
- How would you channel young love, social disenchantment, and embracing adulthood in just above 2 minutes? The Goon Sax have an answer, and made it look easy. Make Time For Love is an artistically genius package; it's fleeting run time enhancing the songs message of lack of time, and bringing loaded lyrics that take multiple listens to unpack. This is a short and sweet tune that will have you mashing repeat. (Peter Strasser)
Regurgitator: Party Looks(Single)(Consume/Valve)
Brisbane’s much loved Regurgitator return with Party Looks, a funk infused dance anthem that is sure to please long-time fans. The vocals and instrumentals are so well crafted and grooving that Party Looks could easily be an outtake from Prince’s 1999. Listeners will be also happy to find that, even after twenty-five years, the band’s unique sense of humour still remains fresh, endearing and clever as always. (James Chadwick)
Trace Decay: How Did It Come To This? (Single)(Independent)
Trace Decay have pulled off a serious achievement with this tune. Mixing old sample sounds reminiscent of a mellotron with funky bass, catchy guitar, distortion, and unashamedly poppy hooks in his melancholic tone. Yet all the elements come together perfectly in a cohesive tight little package that's sure to make your indie-pop playlist. (Peter Strasser)
Australian
Mojo Juju: Native Tongue (Single)(ABC/Universal)
Mojo Juju’s Native Tongue is more than a song, it’s a statement. A statement on the identity and prejudice issues faced by many and ignored by many more. A hard hitting, in your face, straight to the point, raw track, Mojo Juju makes sure she is heard above voices that try to silence her. Native Tongue is a welcome tune for Mojo fans but more so, essential listening for the ignorant. (James Chadwick)
Harmony: Double Negative (Poison City Records)
Knowing that the album was recorded in a hall in regional Victoria makes absolute and perfect sense once you’ve listened to this record. It captures that maddening romantic longing, that only isolation can cultivate and fester. The central theme is love, whatever that means, and we see Tom Lyngcoln and band take us on different paths with each song to make some attempt at making sense of this chemical reaction. Double Negative is raw and open and somewhat masochistic in its approach in being vulnerable and honest in letting love in. (Jasmine Dunn)
Neon Tetra: Pollen (Independent)
[WARNING, CONTAINS SAXOPHONE] Neon Tetra come through with unapolagetically groovy music in their EP Pollen. Like its namesake, the EP successfully blossoms in only three tracks through boppin' bass lines, gloriously smooth sax solos, soothing vocals, and an impressive overall cohesion. One to watch in the wave of jazz inspired synth-driven disco-loving new music. (Peter Strasser)
Segue: Wake Up / Make Up (Single)(Group Therapy Collective)
Perth seems to be the place for dream pop, and Segue is no exception. "Wake Up / Make Up" has an honest presence to its character, captured through its low-fi textures, down-tempo feel, and melancholy lyrics. A song that deals with hitting a low and the realisation that there is now nothing left but to move on, and boy does it capture that emotion. One for the playlist. (Peter Strasser)
Overseas
Deafheaven: Ordinary Corrupt Human Love (ANTI-)
Is accessible blackmetal a thing? Yes, and here it is in the form of Ordinary Corrupt Human Love. Deafheaven continue to ride the train of post-blackmetal and its descent into the accessible realm. Those familiar with Deafheaven's past work will recognise the washy and fuzzy guitars, and George Clarke's witch-like vocals immediately, but will be intrigued as to the bands latest melding of one of the darkest metal subgenres and what is often its antithesis: major keys. Staying true to the band's previous sounds is the uplifting feeling that tremelo guitars and blast beat drums give, while playing major scales and experimenting with jazz, arena rock, progressive rock, and even ballads. You're a fool to avoid the San Francisco native's latest creation in Ordinary Corrupt Human Love. (Peter Strasser)