Song Snapshot Reviews
Sticky Fingers - Not Done Yet
The Aussie, indie, semi-psychedelic/Oasis go surfing band have brought out a new album, Yours to Keep, with artwork you’ll want as your next tattoo. Not Done Yet is a perfect example of how talented the band are and a real showcase for the lead singer’s, Dylan Frost, voice. A fantastic release before their upcoming tour.
Kojaque - Flu Shot
Visual Artist/Singer/Rapper Kojaque (Kevin Smith) is making waves. The buzz beginning in Ireland, District Magazine immediately picking up on Kojaque and his crew- Soft Boy Records- including Luka Palm and Kean Kavanagh. The increasingly complicated and real characters narrated by Smith draw in the audience and encourage further listening and discovery- just listen to Deli Daydreams for a well told, laugh out loud story.
Bon Iver - Faith
Bon Iver teasing again with two new songs from their new album, i,i set to be released on 30 August. Faith is a fantastic positive crescendo of their chamber pop, folktronica reverberations, for which they are known for. Perhaps the happy fullness of sound is a sweetener for the ambiguous lyrics that pertain to Justin Vernon’s rejection of the Teleological Argument and decline in faith, an ever-present theme throughout the band's remarkable penmanship (See 33 God, Heavenly Father and Sides). Although there is hope, carried by the lyric: “And we have to know that faith declines, I'm not all out of mine”.
I BEEN BORN AGAIN - BROCKHAMPTON
Each member of the best boyband since One Direction adds their own personal flavour to this spicy release. The glitching, basic, bassy hip-hop beat, offset by treble bleep bloop scintillations is a straight fire base for the bands feisty verses. BROCKHAMPTON elevating the game right here.
Press Club - Thinking About You
Press Club are alive and kicking and jumping and head-banging. This new song, Thinking About You, is grungy and gorgeous. These garage-punk performers have already earned themselves a reputation for being one of Australia’s hardest gigging bands. Natalie Foster’s (vocals) Fiona Apple- Criminal sultry voice is even better live, paired with her unbelievable stage presence and unrivalled energy.
Bonobo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Heartbreak
Bonobo and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs have teamed up to create Heartbreak, a sparky new dance-bop with scintillating layers and a soul-entwining drum line. The song is a successful tribute to the thriving New York disco scene in the 70’s and 80’s with a funky central sample, ‘Weekend’ by Class Action. A dance floor hit!
The Japanese House - Chewing Cotton Wool
Majestic in its simplicity, delicate and dedicated. Chewing Cotton Wool, the latest single from The Japanese House’s upcoming album, Something Has to Change, holds your attention with sentimentality radiating from each line. The song speaks about finding a person in every banal aspect of life, recalling memories in inanimate objects and unremarkable moments, it is up to the listener to determine if this is a good or bad thing.
Emotional Oranges - Just Like You
Hard hitting, blunt and provocative lyrics dressed in a satin suit of sexy sounds, easy-rolling beats and futuristic flickers. Emotional Oranges, an LA based duo shrouded in anonymity, is making waves- recognition coming from the likes of Michelle Obama and Guy Fieri. Just Like you is super sexy and an easy fit into any RnB playlist/date night soundtrack.
Allie X - Fresh Laundry
An intriguing song that can’t quite decide which genre it fits into- electronic, pop, indie? Glimmers of Lana Del Rey and Goldfrapp. Hedonistic and carefree lyrics backed and combined with vocal flourishes and choral layers.
Joy Crookes - Yah / Element Medley
Joy Crookes adds her own dreamy London style to Yah / Element – Medley. Silken, soulful and sexy. The politest, most gentle sounding Kendrick cover you’ll ever hear. Yah, yah you’re going to like this.
Max Pope - 6am
Psychedelic-indie pop perfection. The song flows with a groovy kinda nonchalance, “Will you carry me up (up, up…) when I’m on the way down” makes you want to grab your nose and wiggle on down 60’s style.