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. ‘Pipe Dreams’ - Good Lekker
Wollongong favourites Good Lekker explore the intangible chaos that pervades the human condition in their new single ‘Pipe Dreams’.
Following the release of ‘Prague’, the band shift into deeper subject material in their most mature release yet. The single also comes as a taste of the band’s debut EP Samara set to release November 22.
Good Lekker vocalist Josh Fahy says ‘Pipe Dreams’ was written as an extended jam that was later refined.
“It’s a call to push on, to fight the good fight, and to find peace amongst the chaos,” he explains.
After considerable success over the course of 2019, the band have been compared to the massive names of Foals and Northeast Party House.
Good Lekker have been steadily growing their fan base since 2017 by producing catchy tunes and playing energetic live shows filled with thick synths and dirty riffs. Now, their sound has reached a level which is undeniably charming and instantly recognisable. Get amongst the delicate and driving mix of Brit-pop and indie rock today.
2. ‘Chain’ – Winifred
Melbourne-based newcomer Winifred has shared her debut single 'Chain'.
The brooding track, written and recorded in London, is about the nostalgia associated with lost relationships.
Winifred says the song describes being bound by memories, haunted by someone as if they were a physical chain around your neck… but it's also about piercing through that veil.
The inspiration was drawn from Bjarke Ingles’ quote: "What changes over time is the naivety fades away, but it is replaced by another kind of confidence."
With such a catchy melody and chorus, it’s no surprise the tune was made alongside producer Tim Gordine and mixed by Jono Steer.
After working with Melbourne-based artist-producer Alice Ivy in the past and even joining her on stage at The Forum earlier this month, Winifred has proven to be one of Australia’s most exciting young pop talents around. Stay tuned for more Winifred news!
3. ‘Been Busy’ – Thunder Fox
Strap yourselves in for the wild aural and visual journey that is ‘Been Busy’.
The new funk-drenched single from Thunder Fox, paired with a crazy music video, comes from their forthcoming album LOVE AT FIRST SNIFF.
Drawing influence from Anderson .Paak, Hiatus Kaiyote and D’Angelo, an expert marriage of horn lines with addictive basslines and riffs shine through in the song.
Working with director Nick Allen, the band’s cheeky humour comes through in the music video for ‘Been Busy’. It perfectly encapsulates the pure musical absurdity that is Thunder Fox.
When speaking on the new track and upcoming album, Thunder Fox say the music muses on subject matter with a discernible sense of growth and progression while stretching across a canyon of mixed emotion.
After headlined several tours of their own while appearing at the likes of Lost Paradise, the Caloundra Music Festival and Subsonic Music Festival, the band are stronger than they’ve ever been.
Thunder Fox have cracked the code to swagger infused, hedonistic rock-funk hoo-ha, and we can’t wait to hear more. Thunder Fox will be unleashing new music across stages sooner than you think, so get ready!
4. ‘Weightless World’ - Golding
Introducing the new indie-electronic pair soon to take over your radio… Golding.
Jay Bainbridge and Matt Bartlem have worked alongside each-other musically for some time, so their new single ‘Weightless World’ has been a long time coming.
The debut single is the epitome of musical chemistry, blending smooth soulful vocals with intricate layering of rippling beats, pulsing synths, and delicate guitar riffs.
‘Weightless World’ reflects on the seemingly perfect life that comes with fame and money, and draws inspiration from artists such as Alt-J and Phoenix.
The duo with a sound similar to that of Nick Murphy / Chet Faker, experiment with melody, beats, and space in a way that seeps into your subconscious. The meticulosity composed sound swirls around your mind and takes over your senses.
And now for the best part… ‘Weightless World’ is only just the beginning. Get intoxicated by the charming harmonies and vocals of Golding now.
5. ‘Raise The Alarm’ - NOT A BOYS NAME
After touring with the likes of Olympia and I Know Leopard, Sydney artist NOT A BOYS NAME aka Dave Jenkins Jr. has finally released an indisputably infectious single, ‘Raise The Alarm’.
Co-written with Lucy Taylor (Dagny, Dua Lipa, Friendly Fires) and Ross James (Upsidedownhead), the multi-instrumentalist has hit the nail right on the head.
NOT A BOYS NAME has spent the most part of 2019 ensuring the melody, bass, and percussion of his new music is the best it can possibly be.
The musician openly says the single came at a time when he felt trapped… consumed by nothing. The song is about finding the catalyst to shake you up and take you where you want to go.
He explains: “I desperately needed a change and was searching for the courage to take that first step into the unknown… It’s so easy to get stuck in a complacent place, a burning room… It’s so easy to say, this is fine… This song is about learning to say it’s not.”
Previous releases have gained insane amounts of popularity, and we expect no different with ‘Raise The Alarm’. Watch this artist… a tour is on its way!