R&B lovers are getting spoiled this week…
Well, we’ve reached the end of another week, and with it we’re one step closer to the end of the year. To say the last two years have been cooked is an understatement, but hope is on the horizon now, and it’s been driven forward by the tracks dropped by our local artists, each and every day.
And so, let’s not mess about. Five fire tracks by local artists, coming right up. Check it below.
Larissa Lambert (Victoria/Wurundjeri) –‘wyd?’
Ballarat-born songstress Larissa Lambert shimmers on her wavy new offering ‘wyd?’, the R&B gem following up her last release ‘Weak’ with equal measures of allure and steeze.
The sensual slow-burn sees Lambert backed by fluttering keys and steady drums, the concoction of sonics meshing for a refined soundscape that she totally shines upon with her vocals. Speaking of which, this is the most relaxed and poised we’ve seen her, her utterances traversing the various parts of her range with total ease as she maintains a hip hop and r&b flare filled with attitude and breeze. She delves into rapping at various parts throughout, singing lyrics in such quick and stylish succession (like that of 1:45) that it feels like she’s almost teasing the what else she’s got in the pipeline, and she succeeds in piquing our interest.
To sum it up, Lambert is in fine form on ‘wyd?,’ and has enough soul on it to compete with the international heavy hitters leading the R&B soundscape in 2021.
Atlas Franklin Alexander(Newcastle/Mulubinba) – ‘Enter Echo’
Atlas Franklin Alexander warps your mind in seven different ways with his latest effort ‘Enter Echo,’ the electro-cultivator getting ambient, far-reaching and utterly transportive with his new release.
The new tune taps into the spirit realm sonically, visually and lyrically, Alexander writing about his experience on DMT and the vivid experiences it e ntails. The video, short in Northern India, adheres to the brief, Alexanders mellow falsetto and the striking sonics enhanced by the dream-like landscapes we see him run rampant in. It’s definitely not a straightforward track in any way as well, the tune never repeating nor circling back, rather pushing forward into the great unknown, much like DMT itself (or so I’ve heard).
Wanna feel high as fuck without actually getting high as fuck? Enter oblivion with Atlas Franklin Alexander’s ‘Enter Echo.’
VIIN (Sydney/Eora) – ‘PASSIONFRUIT’
Multi-instrumentalist wonder VIIN splashes waves of steeze on his latest slow jam ‘PASSIONFRUIT,’ the longtime session muso stepping into the limelight with his silky new sound.
The bop sees the rising star echo R&B sentiments of globetrotting dons Mac Ayers and Tom Misch, breezy synths and jazzy guitars creating a laid back vibe perfectly suited to the accompanying visuals (directed by Elsa Parker). The young muso also treats us to some hip hop verses with the title lyric, alternating from sweet vocals to fiery bars as the singer-songwriter proves that he can just as easily pummel your heart as he can melt it.
But it’s his falsetto that seals the deal for us, his utterances on the hook (including some wild scatting) listening just like butter; so much so that no matter how many times he treats you to it, it’ll never be enough.
LEX (Gold Coast/Yugambeh) – ‘Mood Swing’
LEX puts you on notice in her latest release ‘Mood Swing,’ the Yugambeh muso continuing to cultivate her own moody and soul-stirring part of the pop soundscape.
The fire starter makes use of dark synths and drums, the sonic palette LEX draws from being one of her most striking yet. Her vocals are charged with a frenetic urgency that’s perfectly suited to the vibe of the sonics, her alternations between her raspy lower voice and delicate head voice matching the dynamic nature of the accompanying sonics. The hook really ties it all together however, LEX’s vocals and the overall ferocity of the tune finding a lush midway between destructive and soothing; a balance that’s enhanced with every magnification of those hurtling synths.
One of her most promising releases yet, LEX’s ‘Mood Swing’ has definitely got us keen to see what she does next.
REGI FLIH (Perth/Mooro) – ‘Dreaming’
Ever-allusive Perth crooner REGI FLIH gives us another peak into his soul with his latest offering ‘Dreaming,’ the first track of his latest EP Careless (out today) flush with euphoria and mood.
The new effort sees the muso flex his falsetto atop spacey synths and braggadocios drums, the soul flare finding a meditative point of mysticism as he digs deep on the connection he has to his loved one late at night; so much so that the two dream about each other in their most personal moments. It’s a pretty powerful sentiment, and all of that euphoria is amplified on the hook as REGI sings “I know you thinking about me/Dreaming about me,” the neo-soul star utilising his falsetto prowess to alternate in pitch, phrasing and resonance
Another example of the hidden treasures buried deep within the Perth music scene. Get familiar with REGI and ‘Dreaming’ in all of the feels it has to offer.
