Local talent is at an all time high…

It seems like you guys are vibing hard with these local tracks articles we’ve been bringing you recently, and who can blame you, they’re filled with enough talent and fire to last us until kingdom come. And we’ve got a another fresh batch for you today, bubbling with homegrown artistry that serves as a perfect reminder of the magic of the Aussie music scene. Ranging from gorgeously-textured pop-bops to hard-hitting hip hop and R&B gems that perfectly capture the fire of the golden 90s, we’ve got it all for you today, and we’re not at all holding back. Dig in.

Hartley – ‘Underwater’

Brisbane rising star Hartley is a total gem in every sense of the word, the singer/ producer juggernaut never failing to come through with heartfelt bops that soothe the spirit into serenity. ‘Underwater’ features those soulful af vocals we’ve come to expect from the Brisbane songstress, along with some super ethereal production that strikes the perfect balance between ballad and banger. As if we weren’t under her spell enough, that kick-ass chorus totally seals the deal, with the impactful drums and various synths hitting us hard and fast, leaving us helpless to her boundless talents.

Cabu ft. Vanessa Elisha – ‘Signs’

One of the most soulful producers in the Sydney scene, Cabu has euphoria-filled zingers for every day of the week, his tunes carrying the torch of J.Dilla as he curates colourful funk-infused landscapes for his listeners. Perfectly merging the genres of hip hop and EDM, he manages to electrify the soul while getting that right foot tapping in beat. ‘Signs’ featuring Vanessa Elisha’s mad vocals ranges from low-fi/ R&B ballad to disco/ soul banger, all in the space of a couple minutes. From caressing your heart and holding you in a deep embrace to invigorating your soul into a dance-heavy frenzy, the tune takes you through countless highs, with Elisha’s lyrical blessings guiding you throughout. It’s properly dope, and just a sliver of what the Sydney producer is capable of.

Ratu ft. Jbarts – ‘1400 Goons’

If Earl Sweatshirt had a Sydney equivalent, Ratu aka Balethehuman would smoke that poor bugger in less than a second. One of the most exciting hip hop acts in the local hip hop scene, Ratu’s tunes balance hard-hitting lyricism with gorgeous production, truly doing justice to the legacies of Dilla & MF DOOM. With intricate beats that are hard af but smooth as silk, he’s more than perfected a winning formula, and he’s churning out gems to match at an insane rate. J.Barts totally turns up on the track as well, matching Ratu’s energy with complete ease as they display their mad talents with the pen and behind the booth. Definitely one to watch, we can’t recommend this beauty enough.

Sampa The Great – ‘Time’s Up’

A true OG that has more than proven she’s a force to be reckoned, it truly seems like Sampa The Great can do no wrong, and ‘Time’s up’ is another example of her never-ending talents. The Melbourne-based queen of bars fearlessly shines a light on the systemic racism in the Aussie music industry, with bars like ‘I seen the industry/ kill the dreams of a dreamer’ hitting hard as she communicates the plight of black artists with total grace. The video is sick as hell as well, referencing numerous 90s videos like 2pac’s ‘Hit Em Up’ and using a padded room to show how black artists are held down in the industry. Of course the piece is a total triumph. Time’s up, and Sampa The Great is on a quest to make sure you won’t forget it.

Lara Andallo – ‘Confidential’

Sydney’s Lara Andallo is one of the most promising acts in the local R&B scene, her tunes helping to push the genre forward with a crazy pure authenticity. She’s got one of those one in a million voices that throws it back to the golden era of the R&B genre, but at the same time sets her apart from her contemporaries in a major way. Her tune ‘Confidential’ embodies all of the above, and even though it was released way back in 2019, it’s still as gorgeous & heartwarming all these months later. Lara properly throws down on the track, her honey-drenched tone helping to cast the listener under her sweet spell, with us hoping to never be released. If you’re looking to be rejuvenated while being in your feelings for a night, Lara more than has you covered.