Support local artists…

Definitely a rough time for all of us in Australia and across the world right now. It seems with each and every day pops up some more bad news or some clusterfuck we’re all powerless to stop. It’s tough, but we still have music to get us by, and today’s batch of Homegrown Fire is just begging to be listened to.

Five fire tracks by local artists, coming right up. Check it below.

WIIGZ – ‘Red Hot Pants’

Brisbane/Meanjin groove enchantresses WIIGZ are bathing you in the waters of allure with their latest single ‘Red Hot Pants,’ reminding you of the power of funk and their prowess as badass filmmakers (LOVE TO SEE IT).

The track follows the duo as they descend further into their exploration of disco inferno, swapping out the playful melodies of their debut ‘WWWWWHY’ for modalities rife with unfiltered passion. Naturally, singer Hannah’s vocals are in no short supply of all of the above, her utterances on the verses and hooks entrancing you with every offering, most addictively in her repetition of the hook ‘Hot Pants.’ And of course she’s perfectly supported by bassist Zoe’s basslines and the accompanying production, all of which bubble and brew with total magnetism beneath her wings.

The clip plays as a cinematic embodiment of all of the above, the two starlets serenading us in the dark of the night with a lone spotlight illuminating their beings. It’s almost like an edgier, grittier version of the ‘WWWWWHY’ video, but still manages to make you fall head over heels just as much, if not more.

Fancy a bit of a groove fest in lockdown? Do yourself a favour and chuck ‘Red Hot Pants’ (in both a musical and fashion sense), it’ll be the most fun you have all week.

Stevan – ‘Hope It’s Not’

Wollongong/Dharawal-based mind-melder Stevan continues to prove himself as every bit the mesmeriser he demonstrated in last year’s Ontogeny,‘ his latest release ‘Hope It’s Not’ furthering you into his grasp with an overflow of soul and silk.

Musically the ‘Picture’ singer traverses the realms of R&B and indie-rock, merging the two for a sunrise-orange of wavy guitar lines and synths. The hook listens like an eclipse of euphoria that totally engulfs you, set off by the tender ‘But I hope it’s not’ that leads into a cosmic illumination of instrumentation. We also get a sneak peak at Stevan’s rapping capabilities in the verses, the multi-instrumentalist reminding us that there’s no domain he isn’t able to venture or make completely his own.

You know those stadium-selling, multi-platinum acts your parents are always claiming they were fans of before they achieved global superstardom? Stevan’s going to be that guy for us. Do yourself a favour and bump ‘Hope It’s Not’ to your heart’s content, then just sit back and watch as he rises to the top like so many before him.

Mel Blue – ‘Cleopatra’

Sydney/Eora-based six piece Mel Blue are travelling back to the ancient times while pushing themselves forward in ‘Cleopatra,’ the electro pop outfit revelling in the joy of being in love and the ensuing infatuation that results from it.

The track sees the maestros surge forward with the aid of mesmerising synth lines, producer Oscar Sharah’s distorted vocals intermingling upon them with ease. It strikes a steezy balance of bop and ballad, and prompts some wholesome smiles with lyrics like ‘You’re my Cleopatra/ I never thought I’d catch ya.’

Need a soundtrack to slow dance/totally lose yourself to with your special someone? Mel Blue more than have your back with ‘Cleopatra,’ go ahead and take their hand into the moonlight.

Lakyn – ‘Wayfarer’

Melbourne/Naarm-based singer songwriter Lakyn crafts the perfect soundtrack to your next skate sesh in ‘Wayfarer,’ the ‘Sweet Days’ singer finding a place of safety and reprieve from which to engage in his exploration of perception and life.

The bop tags along with the New Zealand-born muso as he skates through vivid guitar lines that contrast deliciously with his baritone vocal, the plucks and arpeggios almost mirroring his lyrical offerings. The hook feels like a splash of nostalgia as he welcomes the ‘Wayfarer’ the song is named after, the vocal layers and textures meshing transcendently. He treats us to a couple of rhythmic bars in the verses as well, showing that whether it be indie melodies or hip hop verses, he can do whatever he so chooses.

Do yourself a favour and get some sun rays out in the world today, and while you’re at it, be sure to bump ‘Wayfarer’ just a couple of times; it’ll make that sun shine just a little brighter.

Selasie – ‘Unnatural’

Western Sydney/Eora heartthrob Selasie defies all genre and confinement in his debut single ‘Unnatural,’ the rising star recounting the loss that results from failed relationships and his desire to find closure in dissolution.

The sonic slow-burn showcase the young 22-year-old surrounded by hypnotic textures and layers, mind-bending synths and modalities glittering with swagger. Vocally he’s totally in control, his tenor sensibilities finding moments of strength and vulnerability on the hook as he sings ‘Somethings different in the way I feel/It’s unnatural.’ The tune just plays like the perfect track you’d want to hear at a nighttime festival set, stars shooting over you as you hold your loved one close, bounding together against the swells of time and circumstance.

It’s almost like the best of Khalid and the Weeknd found their way to Western Sydney, and chose Selasie’s being as a host for their combined power, finding a sweet spot in the middle of the two artistries that, in contrast to the name of the song, feels totally natural.