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. ‘Vicarious’ – Grizzly Shark
Grizzly Shark effortlessly blend hardcore riffs and poppy melodies in their new fun-loving single, ‘Vicarious’.
The rock tune flawlessly demonstrates urgency, punchiness, and most of all… infectiousness. There additionally seems to be a heavy ‘90s rock influence present, and we’re all for it.
Paired with a music video that parodies the classic Australian morning show Cheez TV, the single is the first offering from their forthcoming EP recorded with Australian producer Troy Brady.
The hardcore riffs and poppy melodies of ‘Game Over’ landed the gang onto The Faction’s Hardest 100 in 2018, and it’s only been uphill since. The Brisbane four-piece have garnered a very healthy fanbase over the years and, to celebrate the release, will be playing a few live shows in coming months.
2020 looks to be a huge year for the boys, and they’re only just getting started.
2. ‘Clicker’ – Rivilin
Brisbane based rapper Rivilin has unveiled a dark and progressive brand of alternative rap with ‘Clicker’.
His previous release ‘Neuroscience’ received an overwhelmingly positive response, and ‘Clicker’ won’t be any different. There’s no doubt the single is a considerably powerful effort that maintains a confronting mood from start to finish.
The musician started his musical journey by playing in hardcore bands and working as a promoter before focusing on writing and releasing his own music. He’s since accumulated a large number of songs under his belt and is showing no signs of slowing down.
After releasing the album ‘Nobody’ last year, Rivilin has wasted no time in recording the next one, as ratrose is set to release February 21.
3. ‘The Feels’ – Sonny
Sonny AKA Xavier Bacash has us all in our feels with his new eclectic single, ‘The Feels’.
The Australian-born, Copenhagen-based artist drew a lot of inspiration from Danish culture for the song.
Released via Northern Underground Records (Sonny’s own label) the track includes a remarkable sonic landscape defined in precision-cut sounds and rhythmic house. There’s a seamlessly wrapped rhythm present, enabling striking analogue synths and warm percussive vocal riffs to take centre stage.
The forward-focused tune also comes with the announcement that his forthcoming debut album, Union: Integration Of The Shadow, will be released April 24.
From the sun-soaked shores of Australia to the chillier and often darker backdrops of Northern Europe, Sonny’s influences allow him to present a fresh style of music.
The first taste of Sonny’s debut LP has not disappointed.
4. ‘Shiver’ – Starve
Starve exemplify pure musical brutality in their first hard-hitting single of 2020, ‘Shiver’.
The song contains considerably dark underlying themes amongst the chaotic maze of angry riffs, scathing vocals and static sounds.
Starve say the track is about feeling disconnected from yourself, falling into toxic patterns and being unable to remove yourself from those unhealthy situations.
Vocalist Jordan Dunbar explains: "Even when your instincts are telling you no, you're still too afraid to do anything, and ultimately end up blaming yourself for your own depression."
Dunbar says the band aims to deliver something different that people can relate to.
"Our music comes from experiences and feelings that we take and turn into the manic, angry and intense sound that we pride ourselves on," he adds.
After opening for Stray From The Path alongside Kublai Khan TX and Deadlights, the Melbourne four-piece have confirmed they’ll be unleashing the new single live at Melbourne and Adelaide’s AM//PM nights in early February.
5. ‘Till the Day I Die’ – The Bambuseae Rhythm Section [words by Nick Wasiliev]
The Bambuseae Rhythm Section are back once again with their second single, ‘Till the Day I Die.’
The six-piece groove-based band hailing from Fremantle first turned heads with their winning debut track ‘Slinky Begonia’, a track that showcased a fusion of groove, jazz, rock and funk in a style reminiscent of bands like The Cat Empire.
Their sophomore effort is a bit more nocturnal and sensual. This is a track that is all about vibe, launching into a hypnotic soundscape. The sentiment is echoed in vocals about smoking joints and riding the relaxed feeling.
However, once the chorus hits, the track sees the band bring out their old school rock’n’roll side, with proclamations about ‘loving you till the day I die’, glorious guitar tones, and of course, amazing jazz trumpets to complete the vibe.
This track is glorious, pure and simple. It plays harder than their first track, but with this effort The Bambuseae Rhythm Section show that their already diverse palate has more range than we first thought, and that sure bodes well for whatever comes next!
