The tunes keep on coming…
Just as the year begins to wind down, it seems the releases from our local artists continue to explode. Every week it’s almost as if there are tracks being dropped by the thousandfold (which probably isn’t far off), and we’re absolutely feeding off it. So, we won’t waste any time, here are five fire tracks for your listening pleasure.
J O D I (Sydney/Eora) – ‘Frenchie’
Jodie delves into the EDM ionosphere with her latest groove ‘Frenchie,’ the rising muso following up her last single ‘B!ink’ with an electro-tinged bop that’s begging to be heard in a grimy club where the lights are low and the bass is high.
Sonically this is one of the muso’s most transportive singles yet, warm synths and future bass inflections surrounding her soulful vocals as she sings about relational conflict and her attempts to move beyond it, most notably in the hook “thought I was clear I said go.”. There’s plenty of synchronicity between her and the sonics as well, the singer-songwriter and producer Oscar Sharah getting in their Kaytranada bag mad hard as warbly bass lines and fluro chord progressions spur the track forward.
It’s definitely one of Jodie’s more edgier releases, and is demote;y the track you’d wanna hear on a packed dance floor. Dig in below.
Austen (Melbourne/Naarm) – ‘How To Be Alone’
Austen unravels her deepest fears with her latest slow-burn ‘How To Be Alone,’ the Naarm muso’s latest single off her EP Small filled with equal measures of emotion and exhilaration.
The track starts off eerie and quiet, Austen’s vocals exhibiting an almost storyteller-like quality as synths gently bubble beneath her. Slowly but surely, her vocals and the accompanying textures gain in momentum, horns making their way in and out as she builds toward the euphoric drop. It all culminates in the lead lyric “Teach me how to be alone tonight” on the hook, her vocals filled with emotion as the power-pop synths oscillate beneath her.
Sonically the breathy offering draws from multiple genres here, embracing aspects of folk, pop and of course EDM as she crafts an ode to independence and being comfortable with one’s own company.
Lazy Eyes (Sydney/Eora) – ‘Fuzz Jam’
Inner West larrikins The Lazy Eyes continue into the wormhole of psychedelia with their latest release ‘Fuzz Jam,’ the rising four-piece turning your brain inside out with what’s their most vivid offering yet.
Naturally, the tune is full of all the hallmarks of the Lazy Eyes sound palette: menacing guitars, funky basslines, frontman Harvey’s serene vocals and a whole bunch of drum fills that are just rife with chaos. Of course, they treat us to a head banging guitar solo toward the track’s end, giving a subtle nod to darug music with eastern chord progressions that linger on your mind long after they’ve finished buzzing. It all comes to a head in the outro of the tune, the various layers culminating into a melting pot of grit as the Lazy Eyes thrash to and fro with distorted guitars and hard hitting drums.
Definitely one of the band’s most intriguing yet satisfying releases yet, just a small taste of their debut album SongBook, which is slated to drop in March next year.
Alice Ivy ft. Sycco (Melbourne/Naarm) – ‘Weakness’
Alice Ivy serves up her smokiest tune yet in her latest single ‘Weakness’ ft. Sycco, the producer-extraordinaire fusing her’s and the Brissy/Meanjin muso’s unique vintages of indie pop for an addictive slow burn that sparkles with allure.
Sonically the tune buzzes with an edgy sound palette, ember-like synths and drums meshing together with a sense of danger that maintains throughout the three-and-a-half minute runtime. Sycco’s vocals are especially fiery in this cut too, the ‘Dribble’ singer revelling in her chest and head voice as she delivers lyrics like “We can, oh I am sinking/You keep me up at night/Read between the lines” with ease. Various electronic effects are spread throughout as well, delays, loops and filters helping to elevate the mid-tempo heater into a hybrid dance-track.
It’s honestly got us wanting a full project from the two musos, and judging by how addictive ‘Weakness’ is, it’s not hard to see why.
Tia Gostelow – ‘Two Lovers’ (Ivey Remix) (Gold Coast/Yugambeh)
Ivey pay tribute to those notorious Ibiza dance floors with their remix of Tia Gostelow’s ‘Two Lovers,’ utilising a tropical sound palette for a banger well-suited for summer.
The bop’s production intermingles and sparkles beneath’s Tia’s powerhouse vocals, synths and horns simmering with a laid back breeze that doesn’t at all take away from the original track. The drop is smooth as silk as well, the chordal and melodic utterances striking just the right synchronicity that pulls you in even further of the ‘Two Lovers,’ most notable at around 1:55 as the delicate kicks drive forward atop revolving synths and basslines.
It’s definitely what a remix is meant to be, and stands toe to toe with the original tune, which is no small task. Remind yourself of the beauty of a summer dance floor with Ivey’s remix of ‘Two Lovers.’
