GOOD FRIDAY - SPICIEST NEW TUNAS OF 31 JAN 2020

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!

GOOD FRIDAY - SPICIEST NEW TUNAS OF 24 JAN 2020

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.     ‘Wet Bikini’ - The Double Happiness

Surf-pop indie outfit The Double Happiness dropped a fascinating single to kick off the decade. A unique four-piece comprised of two couples from Brisvegas, what is even more surprising is their music!

‘Wet Bikini’ begins with brooding drums, and reverb-heavy, glorious guitar. Pulling from sounds directly inspired from the likes of surf rock prodigies Beach Boys, this track comes with a more psychedelic edge, and is a brooding, glorious track filled with so much atmosphere.

This is a highly recommended track that doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, with a hypnotic groove that will stick with you for a while. This track is like a surprisingly spooky day at the beach, and is a hell of a lot of fun!

2.    ‘José Mourinho’ - Fourth Place

Melbourne based hip-hop duo Fourth Place are back with a brand new track, ‘José Mourinho.’ These guys are doing some really interesting things with hip-hop, building up songs from really simple musical elements to deliver hip-hop gems with outstanding flow.

Their latest cut is a bombastic affair. Launching with a really synth line, the duo build the track up and up, adding kick drums and synth bass to hit it home hard on the chorus. Even more interesting is their lyrics covering their ambition in the music industry. When your sights are set this high, you kind of have to make a song about it.

While multiple EPs, singles and shows under their belt in 2019, this year will look to be a belter for this outfit.

3.    ‘Crystallised’ - Autumn’s Passage

An indie-pop outfit from South Australia, Autumn’s Passage have hit the ground running in 2020, with a record already out this month. One of their heavier pop elements is the guitar-heavy track, ‘Crystallised.’

Kicking on with heavy bass and warm guitar, the track builds and builds from intimate indie pop into an almost orchestral gem, like it is being performed in a massive stadium.

This is perfectly formed, tightly constructed, and melodically rich pop. A really great song if you love and value songs with groove, atmosphere and that showcase intense vulnerability. Check out this track, and their album; it’s a gem!

4.    ‘Serenity Now’ - Dip Road Dogs

Eclectic rock outfit Dip Road Dogs are back with their second single, and this song is a track with attitude and a glorious soundscape ripped straight from the Tame Impala and The Flaming Lips playbook.

‘Serenity Now’ is a stonker, with gloriously distorted guitar and a building drum that makes you feel like you are driving down a dusty, foreboding highway. The addition of gorgeous piano chords fills out the space and hits you with some fantastic old-school rock vibes. It’s a cross between a country-tinged rock gem and the new psychedelic sound coming out of Australia right now.

This band is highly recommended, with their first track ‘Labour Day’ also being released to great acclaim. You should be watching these guys in 2020.

5. ‘The Iundation into Our Room’ - A Country Practise

Last, we have a bizarre, synth heavy, quirky piece of electrofolk-pop from Brisbane outfit, A Country Practise. Similarly psychedelic, this outfit’s latest track is an aloof, surreal musical experience.

Another slow-burning experience, synths pulse through the song on top of beautifully plucked guitar and mandolin, with very aloof, yet slightly dark lyrics. It’s a very surreal piece of music that plays almost like a folk song, but it’s blending of genres works so well.

These guys look to have master a sound that is thoroughly unique, and we highly recommend you keep an eye on them going forward.

PREMIERE: Alternative rapper Rivilin debuts traumatic single, 'neuroscience'

It’s been a crazy couple of years for Brisbane-based alternative rapper Rivilin.  

Started out his musical journey playing in hardcore bands and working as a promoter around Brisbane, since turning to alternative rap the artist has gone from strength to strength, releasing cuts filled with personality and striking imagery.

2019 saw the artist release an unbelievable 23 singles, two EPs and a debut record ‘Nobody’, which earned considerable praise for it’s alternative sound, resonant themes, and fantastic, captivating performances by Rivilin on the mic.

However, this new track ‘neuroscience’, the first of his upcoming album ‘ratrose’ sees Rivilin head into much darker territory, being written shortly after Rivilin was in a terrible car accident. Opening with a unsettling keyboard riff that plays over and over and over, the feeling of unsettling terror is palpable. However, once Rivilin pops into the track and starts singing in a dead-pan voice, percussion introduces itself to give a feeling of being locked into something. You feeling like you are sitting on the hospital bed with Rivilin, living this moment over and over and over.

Rivilin really adds a lot of detail to the track, talking about hundreds of messages being left on this phone, feeling his broken bones and seeing everyone at the ‘end of this, again, again.’ The fact his lyrics even start to repeat themselves makes it even more palpable, making you wonder how long he has actually been here.

This is a fantastic track, something that pulls from other amazing alternative rappers like 360 and Kid Cudi, but what is a the biggest achievement of this track is that Rivilin nails the sense of place. You are there with him, every step of the way. For an artist to do that so convincingly it bodes well for what Rivilin has in store around the corner.

With a follow up record and multiple shows in the works, this is an artist you’re going to want to start paying attention to in 2020!

GOOD FRIDAY - SPICIEST NEW TUNAS OF 17 JAN 2020

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.     ‘Hickeys’ - Saint Lane

Gold Coast-based rapper Saint Lane has kicked off the decade with a smooth, groovy and sensual tune, ‘Hickeys.’ After hitting it big with several singles in 2019, the groove rock-inspired style Lane brings to his tracks continues with this latest serving. With an upcoming solo tour and supporting tour with Bootleg Rascal, the rapper is sure kicking off this decade in style. 

‘Hickeys’ is certainly pleasant on the ears, with colourful guitar and an easygoing swagger in the percussion, however lyrically there is a lot more going on than first impressions might seem.

“Hickeys is about moving in circles,” explains Lane. “Working the same job, going to the same bars and seeing the same people every weekend. Getting caught in the loop and wanting to break free. Seeing some people around you break that loop and seeing some people stay in it.”

It’s gorgeous, it’s multi-faceted, and it’s fun. Get on it!

2.    ‘Slinky Begonia’ - The Bambuesae Rhythm Section

From glorious Fremantle, six-piece groove-rock band The Bambuesae Rhythm Section are ripped straight out of The Cat Empire playbook. This band are all about the groove, blues and unashamble funk, and that has carried through on their debut song ‘Slinky Begonia.’

They are also set to tour throughout their home state in late January and early February, coincidentally also supporting Bootleg Rascal. However, if ‘Slinky Begonia’ is anything to go by, they’ll soon be headlining their own shows! This is a tune to get you dancing hard, with fantastic trumpets, synths and the fantastic eponymous rhythm section making the proceedings feel like it has been pulled straight from the Eighties, but with a ska edge to it. 

Keep an ear out especially for the fun trumpet and guitar solo, it’s a riot!

3.    ‘EZ’ - Jamie Lane

Experimental electronic artist Jamie Lane has returned in style, coming off the back of a great 2019 to deliver his most danceable hit so far, ‘EZ.’

Pulling from the sounds of electro-house, Lane delivers a song heavy in groove, warm bass and tight percussion. However, while the track seems simplistic, it nails the sound so well that it becomes utterly hypnotic for the listener. 

Lane explains: “The lyrics are about the anxiety of being unable to establish a true connection with someone you have feelings for due to a sense of detachment in the moment. The heavier lyrical content is intentionally juxtaposed with an upbeat and ‘in the moment’ dance style, with a heavy emphasis on the aesthetics of timbre and percussion to convey a sense of atmosphere.”

4.    ‘Better Than Me’ - Bel

Melbourne-based artist Bel is back for the first time in two years, and has delivered a monster track with ‘Better Than Me.’

Bel is an artist that strives for real and authentic sounds and feelings, with no veil to hide imperfections. Instead, Bel celebrates them, unashamed and unwilling to compromise in her approach. The result is a track that feels gargantuan, both in it’s emotions and explosive production. Opening with a beautiful, but quiet soundscape, as Bel becomes more emotional heavy organs introduce themselves into an explosive, heavy chorus that feels like it’s being performing in a stadium. It’s a volcanic, unsettling tune, and feels undeniably real.

Be sure to keep your eye on what this pop artist has in store. This latest offering is heavy as hell and unbelievably compelling. Highly recommended!

5. ‘Bass Jumpin’ - Arno Faraji

“I make beats and sometimes rap to them.”

Arno Faraji describes himself as such, and honestly, the dude sells himself short. His new hit ‘Bass Jumpin’ is something quick-witted and impossible-to-hold-down. A track that feels like someone ten years his senior should be delivering, this Perth-based, Zimbabwe-born rapper from the Soundcloud scene delivers some hot fire across this track. The production is all fundamentals, pulling from a variety of places, especially the rap scene of the American West Coast. However, Faraji makes it completely his own. This is a rapper hungry to take on the world, and win. 

“Bass Jumpin' is about battling your demons (whatever they are) even when things seem crazy and making opportunities instead of waiting for them!” explains Faraji.

Not going to lie, maturity like that is more than welcome here. We cannot wait to see what this artist does next.

GOOD FRIDAY - SPICIEST NEW TUNAS OF 10 JAN 2020

Happy New Year! And with a new year comes new music! We’re back!

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.     ‘Gates Of Hell’ - Antagonist A.D

Kicking off the year, we’re diving straight into the latest release from heavy metal screamo band, Antagonist A.D.

Opening with apocalyptic riffs, ‘Gates of Hell’ is a gloriously raging song, filled with roaring, dejected vocals and musical performances so tight it feels like a pin-prick. The musical chemistry between the band is twisted in all the right ways, and the musicianship is something to behold.

If heavy metal and thrash metal is your cup of tea, this band look to have something special about them: there’s a lot of rage in this track, with gloriously dark tones that are utterly ghoulish, but fantastic.

2.   ‘The Way You Move’ - Victoria Altern

From one extreme to another, the new release from Melbourne-based South African electronic artist Victoria Altern is a real smooth, fun piece of EDM.

Filled with loads of live instrumentation that made the likes of Daft Punk’s latest releases so enjoyable, ‘The Way You Move’ sees Altern delivers a glorious electronic gem; pulling heavily from the dance and disco sounds of the Eighties and Nineties.

While a track like that may run the risk of feeling somewhat pastiche, Altern’s songwriting chops more than makes up for it, and she interprets the sound completely as her own. A strong recommendation.

3.    ‘Light in the Lie’ - Steve Cousins

Based in the Gippsland area of Victoria, Steve Cousins has been grabbing a lot of attention for his stripped-back approach to pop.

His latest release, ‘Light in the Lie,’ sees him pulling clearly his influences like Matt Corby, the Jungle Giants and Tash Sultana, with fun scratchy production and a smooth groove built around guitar and kick-drum.

This is a fun summer tune, and one that sounds it’ll be a ripper to perform live. Can’t wait to see what this dude does next!

4.    ‘Doppelganger’ - Crust

This garage outfit have just dropped a killer EP, and their low-key intro to it sounds like a cross between The Doors and The White Stripes.

The song is amazing because it is pure fundamentals, good old school rock and roll. The track is a hell of a lot of fun, and when it explodes into these gargantuan choruses and instrumentals it hits the listener with a feeling of satisfying euphoria. You’re going to want to pay attention to this band. 

They are celebrating their new EP with a launch tonight, so be sure to get along to it! 

5. ‘Bias’ ft. Chux - Five Coffees

Finally, bringing our first Good Friday of the decade to a close is Sydney hip-hop outfit Five Coffees, with their latest release featuring Chux. I say hip-hop, but the track is more a gorgeous blend of hip-hop, soul, funk and jazz. This is something fans of bands like The Cat Empire will lap up like crazy.

There are glorious guitars that permeate throughout the track, and synths on the chorus give it so much colour. This is a track that sounds like it’s having so much fun - and we haven’t even got to the saxophone solo that closes this track out.

If you know anyone who thinks hip-hop can’t blend with other genres, direct them to this succulent example. This track is so damn fun!