Local acts forever..

Howdy beautiful people! How are we all going? Things are going pretty dandy as of now aren’t they? There’s this excitement in the air that’s bloody intoxicating, and we absolutely froth it. From a stellar Mardi Gras over the weekend to a wholesome International Women’s Day yesterday, there’s a lot to be grateful for, and you bet we’ll never take it for granted. Another thing we won’t be taking for granted is our local music scene, with artists all cross the country putting out kick ass tracks burning with ingenuity and overflowing with sensitivity.

But enough of my fangirling, we won’t keep you waiting any longer! Five fire tracks by local artists coming right up!

Check it below.

Yuto. – ‘Say’ ft. Julia Lostrom

Melbourne indie-electric duo Yuto curate sonic swells of stardust on their latest tune ‘Say,’ engulfing you with a simmering fusion of house and R&B that’s both electrifying and soothing. Starting wth some mellow piano chords and ethereal vocals provided by the lovely Julia Lostrom, the two brothers start off in true ballad style; that’s all before that gorgeous pre-chorus however, swapping out the ivories for some housey synths that have this rich golden texture that we can’t get enough of. The following hook sees them totally embrace the hallmarks of the house genre, but in a super refined, dialled-back kind of way that builds and swirls around singer Julia just perfectly.

It’s clear the two brothers have got their craft down, managing to craft a groovy ballad that manages to have you in your feelings while holding you hostage with the need to dance. It’s a kick ass tune. Check it below.

Billy Davis – ‘Dream No More’ ft. Ruel & Genesis Owusu

Melbourne groove-master Billy Davis is continuing his string of lush creations with his latest bop ‘Dream No More,’ and he’s got some proper heavy hitters along for the ride. Linking up with hip hop trailblazer Genesis Owusu and pop-extraordinaire Ruel, the musical maestro digs deep both musically and emotionally, and of course the result is totally entrancing. Beginning with some glittery guitars that throw it back to the early days of The Internet, Billy puts his R&B and soul bag to mad use. The resulting beat he curates is imbued this haunting ‘Lucid Dreams’-like quality to it as well, providing the perfect surrealist-canvas for homegrown talents Ruel and Genesis Owusu to do what they do best. Both stars truly deliver (of course), with Ruel’s raspy vibrato and Genesis’ bubbly tones (and their wish-filled harmonies) pushing the song further into a euphoric, fantasy-filled dimension, the type almost impossible to enter; the type that’s wonderfully fleeting.

It’s a tune that’s utterly cosmic and transportive; and contrary to what the name suggests, we hope Billy never stops dreaming. Check the master at work below.

Gemma Navarrete – ‘Older’

Western Sydney soul-flare Gemma Navarrete drenches you in heartfelt spirit in her debut single ‘Older,’ serenading you about her hope for the future and the promise that comes with growth. Spinning her lyrical webs across an old-school R&B beat (produced by Chelsea Warner, who’s also featured in this article) she perfectly crosses between 90s honeycomb and 2000s caramel, sitting right in the pocket of powerful kicks, sweet guitars and mellow harmonies. The various layers exquisitely compliment that honest vocal tone which she absolutely revels in, providing a lovely sonic support for wonderfully-introspective lyrics and affirmations.

The end of the tune however sees her strip it all the way back to drive the message home, singing atop a lone guitar as she builds excitement with the repetition of that hook, each phrase increasing in emotion and spirit. By the end you’re so revved up you’re begging her to go back into another verse, but the artist she is, she sings ever-so sweetly into the night, leaving you desperate for more.

Chelsea Warner – ‘How Come You Don’t Pick Up Your Phone’

Sydney multi-instrumentalist powerhouse Chelsea Warner displays bluesy aura of the richest vintage in her debut single ‘How Come You Don’t Pick Up Your Phone,’ flexing her mastery of various musical periods, genres and moods with a self-curated jam. Starting off totally raw with pure vocals and a simple piano line, she transports you to a 1950s club where the lights are low and the fire is high. That is all before that otherworldly vocal on ‘You ain’t got nothing going on,’ with her last word being illuminated with heavenly harmonies and ornamentation. All of the above leads you to expect the following to go into a classic chorus that continues notions of heartbreak, but Chelsea’s vision takes no notice of convention or expectation; opting for a totally unique, attitude-driven hook that transforms the bop into a fiery soul-jam.

A tune that’s equal parts soulful, lush and most of all, uncompromising, we can’t recommend it enough. Check it below.

Nick Ward – ‘FMF!’

Bedroom-pop wunderkind Nick Ward is sprinkling ethereal shimmers with his summery jam ‘FMF!,’ crafting flourishing layers of instrumentation that unfurl and unravel ever so tenderly. Singing about finding your way through the chaotic time of adolescence, the tune listens like a spring-realisation, shining down on you with gentle guitars, plucky synths and Nick’s lively vocals. The video is equally as enchanting, capturing the carefree and laid-back sound of the tune as the Sydney star dances in various settings, ranging from gorgeous beaches to empty parks (in what is easily the most dope high-vis coat we’ve ever seen).

A totally pure offering that perfectly embodies the overall innocence of youth, we’re definitely recommending it for your Tuesday awakening. Check it below.