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. ‘Want Me’ - r.em.edy
Melbourne’s 20-year-old Singer/Songwriter/Rapper and Producer r.em.edy has filled her new music with emotional flare.
Of her five track EP, ‘Want Me’ portrays the artist’s unspoken authenticity, rawness and honesty the most. Through applying pulsing synths, angelic vocals, and relatable lyrics, the track accurately represents what it means to be young and in love.
r.em.edy’s musical direction is heavily influenced by J.Cole, Amy Winehouse, Doja Cat and Banks. While her sound is mainly hip-hop and R&B, touches of jazz, soul and alternative pop are present.
Most tracks in the new EP stem from passive aggression, realisation, playfulness, to frustration and weakness. The artist has created a refined collection of songs, despite the obstacles along the way.
“I kind of just locked myself in my room every day, with my sh**ty laptop, a mic, no tutorials, and a lot of coffee. It gives you a taste of my mind these past couple years, the highs the lows and all the in-betweens. I just hope the people that need to hear these songs hear them,” r.em.edy concludes.
2. ‘Headache’ – Okay Dane
Credit: Bubble Productions
Having spent the majority of 2019 honing their craft and consistently elevating their stage presence, Okay Dane are back with a new single, ‘Headache’.
The expertly crafted tune is taken from their forthcoming debut EP Alienation, set to release November 29. ‘Headache’s chorus builds in a way that feels simultaneously fresh and reminiscent of your favourite rock acts.
Okay Dane say the single is the most pissed off and frenetic they’ve ever been on a recording.
“It felt really good to record and is always a blast to play live. Lyrically it’s the most to the point and juvenile we’ve been too, which was heaps of fun. At its heart it’s about lashing out and being frustrated with someone who can’t be reasoned with,” they explain.
The fast-paced, energetic example of rock is a great indicator of what is still to come from Okay Dane. The trio has embraced a new chaotic brand of crunching alt-rock, and we cannot wait to hear more.
3. ‘If It’s About Love’ – Nick Pes
Sydney based musician Nick Pes exhibits a new, infectious style of indie electronica on ‘If It’s About Love’.
After the huge success of his 2013 debut ‘I Remember’ and singles to follow, Nick has undoubtedly poured his heart and soul into the new track.
Nick told AAA Backstage ‘If It’s About Love’ is very special because he felt like he was able to break through some emotional barriers when he made it.
“I remember that I wrote it so quickly and when I played back the demo for the first time I burst into tears. When I first sang the words to the chorus, I remember thinking “where did that come from?” – somehow writing this song unlocked a part of me that I had buried really deep.
“It’s about heartbreak, but a long slow heartbreak, to the point where you’ve become exhausted with the idea of love,” Nick adds.
The artist has been spending most of 2019 composing new music, playing shows around his hometown and inspiring a dedicated fan base.
The earnest, hook-filled chorus of ‘If It’s About Love’ is bound to get stuck in your head before you know it. Listen now!
4. ‘Olympia’ - Howlite
Howlite lift us up with the lush, atmospheric sounds of their new single ‘Olympia’.
The elemental dreamscape of ‘Olympia’ teases their forthcoming EP Not Here and builds on the ethereal, indie foundations of previous release ‘Reducer’.
‘Olympia’ evocatively describes the male gaze, and how one can subvert it. Moreover, the lyrical prowess set against a backdrop of dark pop instrumentation demonstrates the newfound confidence of the band.
“We now have a strong sense of confidence and focus with the release of 'Olympia', which offers an even bigger slice of where our sound is heading,” says vocalist Alison Thom.
The blend of soaring vocals and electronic undertones captivate in the same vein as London Grammar, Agnes Obel and The XX.
Howlite will be playing a handful of shows across the southern region of the country over the next few months, see them when you can!
5. ‘Yellow, Blue & Grey’ - Fan Girl
After a relatively quiet 2018 following the tragic passing of band member and best friend Jack Wood, Melbourne’s rock outfit Fan Girl have made a stellar return with ‘Yellow, Blue & Grey’.
As the second release of 2019, the single centres around being left behind in life, both physically and in time. It includes a balance of angelic, ethereal backing vocals, and demonic, gritty guitars.
Frontman Noah Harris explains: “It sits in a weird place between wistfulness and nostalgia. A lot of the imagery, as well as the narrative, runs parallel with the friendship between, and story of, Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Gaugin.”
Fan Girl are known for their electric, urgent live presence, particularly after supporting the likes of Catfish & The Bottlemen, Birds Of Tokyo and The Vines.
As the band begin to release an exhilarating new style of music, it seems clear they also have a newfound appreciation for each other.
“After Jack’s passing, we put everything on hold, but ‘Yellow, Blue & Grey’ was the first thing we eventually started chipping away at. It just felt right,” says guitarist Vincent McIntyre.
