Good Friday: The feature series that shines a light on our favourite new releases from around Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. Make sure you check out all the artists that featured this week up the top of our weekly playlist, which also includes some other jams we've been getting down to during the week.
1. ‘My Girl’ – Doko
Doko have returned with their new highly-addictive indie single, ‘My Girl’
The tongue-in-cheek, 70’s style of “pop minimalism” works exceptionally as the band describes a boy-meets-girl love story.
Guitarist and songwriter Budo Miller says the track is a result of the band setting themselves a challenge to write a song using only three chords.
He explains: "A lot of the time when writing songs for a project of yours, you try to create something which is complex and intricate, thinking it’ll be objectively good… The problem is music isn’t objective and complexity doesn’t always mean it’s good."
The decision to release the tune was made after they played it live, and discovered it was a crowd favourite. There’s an infectiousness to the track which will have you dancing instantaneously.
After the success of previous releases and tours, the Sydney rockers have indisputably reinforced their position in the Aussie music scene. You won’t want to miss this one!
2. ‘Drones’ – Osaka Punch
Brisbane's mighty Osaka Punch are back with a bang, ‘Drones’
The heavy funk band’s fusion of pop and jazz sets them apart from most other heavy acts, including elements of humour and satire in their music.
Jack Muzak (Vocals and Keys), The Beat Cleaver (Drums), Reggie Tuggnuts (Bass) and Chrispy Town (Guitar) have steadily risen their profile as one of Australia’s most entertaining acts by touring relentlessly and releasing damn good tunes.
Jack says the track is about how some people stand for what’s right, and others don’t.
He adds: “While the Greta Thunbergs, Martin Luther Kings, and Michael Boltons of the world hold a light up to the injustices that plague our society, cretins still stand atop an Everest of evil, pissing in the wind… But when all the resources are gone, the last river has dried, and society has cannibalised itself to oblivion, they can rest upon their mountain, licking yellow snow cones, and wiping their arses with $100 bills."
If you haven't witnessed the 'Punch’ yet, you’ve got some ground to cover! After supporting the likes of The Butterfly Effect and Mammal, Osaka Punch are heading into 2020 on an upward trajectory. With more singles, albums, and tours on the way, Osaka Punch’s biggest year is yet to arrive.
3. ‘More Than You Imagined’ – Vast Hill
From the unbelievable range of breakthrough musicians produced by Sydney every year, dream-pop duo Vast Hill are at the top of that list for 2019.
They have released their debut album More Than You Imagined, and the title track exhibits clever arrangement which cohesively gels with the melodies.
The snapshot of a kaleidoscopic, pastel-drenched world is incomparable to any other song out there right now. Thankfully, the retro vibes aren’t an overkill in the song, which often happens in modern music. The project has been executed with confidence and shimmering flair; traits needed by all artists in the competitive industry.
The fun, vibrant pair clearly know their direction and have the skillset to back it up. ‘More Than You Imagined’ spans soundscapes ranging from daydream-heavy to gorgeously immersive. So, go immerse yourself in the hazy vibes of Vast Hill today.
4. ‘Oh Man’ – Emma Bosworth
Emma Bosworth has always been an artist to perfectly capture a moment and to no surprise, she’s done it again.
The musician known for experimenting with her music has been at the heart of Brisbane’s music community for quite some time now, and her new single ‘Oh Man’ is proof why.
While the track is a pitch-perfect slice of writing, it’s a completely different vibe for Emma. ‘Oh Man’ includes gorgeous explosions of sounds that allow the vocals to take centre stage, radiating heavy Tame Impala and Go-Betweens feels.
Instead of giving answers about the song, Emma asks questions: “Is it a reflection of our current times and times passed, are we born into the wrong era? Can we rewrite the future? Do we romanticise about generations passed not knowing their limitations? Would we have been more than what we are now? Where have the “slow rituals” of the past gone? Who even peels pea pods back now? And how often do we sit around, listening to records, talking to our elders, where has community spirit gone?”
Since her 2014 debut solo album, Emma has managed to balance babies, collaborations, and her role as CEO for Green Music Australia.
This musician is taking all the right risks and is a powerful force to be reckoned with. Stream ‘Oh Man’ now.
5. ‘Say It’ – Bad Juju
Melbourne outfit Bad Juju tackle the topic of mental health in their empowering new single ‘Say It’.
The group depict the priority of healing within the track, particularly when it comes to putting yourself first.
‘Say It’ opens with an eruption of urgent guitars and gritty, swirling vocals which speak honest lyrics.
Frontman Russell Holland says the song describes standing up to someone you disagree with.
“It’s about having the courage to say no, by sticking to your guns and saying what you believe in,” he adds.
Since the release of 2018’s ‘Hidden Desire’, the band have been performing alongside some impressive names, including Trophy Eyes, Dream On Dreamer, and Sienna Skies. The five piece know exactly how to make an entrance in a live setting by using hard-hitting, ‘90s inspired grunge, which draw similarities to Citizen, Superheaven, and The Offspring.
Bad Juju’s candid single ‘Say It’ hints at an extended release due out next year, and we could not be more excited.
