The Weekend has arrived again and so has our Saturday mixtape. With so many great Australian artists releasing amazing tracks we thought we would feature some of them including Ainslie Wills, Manor, The Jungle Giants and Oh Mercy. We haven’t forgotten our international acts either with great new tracks from The Antlers and Dinosaur Jr.
Ainslie Wills – Stop Pulling The String
‘Stop Pulling The String’ starts off with a bang of vocals, straight to your ears a ccapella style in a beautiful choir style. It then flows into a musical journey of beats and waves. In some parts the vocals are the star, other times it’s the graceful but strong melody. A star of a track from Willis’ upcoming record You Go Your Way, I’ll Go Mine.
Manor – Afghan Hound
Beginning with a thudding beat that pulses throughout, Manor’s second single begins to swirl around the swooning vocals of Caitlin Duff as the twinkling keys and fuzzy bass begin to blossom like a dark bruise; but a beautiful one. Juxtaposing the fair (cloned waifish harmonies and dappled guitar lines) with the fierce, in those stoic beats and growling bottom-end. Hypnotic and spooky, yet hard-edged in its focus and execution.
Dinosaur Jr. – Watch The Corners
One of the most influential guitar bands throughout the 90s, Dinosaur JR.’s reunion tour in 2005 has been especially fruitful for the band. I Bet on Sky, released in September, is their third album since 2007 and their tenth overall. ‘Watch the Corners’ is relatively mellow to begin with as it sounds decidedly 90s. It ends as all good guitar songs should, with a scintillating solo.
The Jungle Giants – She’s a Riot
There’s something in the water up at Brisbane, they have an uncanny ability to produce bands that have a knack for making infectious pop tunes. In 2012 alone, artists from the Queensland capitol have given us some great songs (See Last Dinosaurs, Emma Louise), but now it’s The Jungle Giants turn to take centre stage in their hometown. This undeniable little ear-worm of a pop song has catchy guitar riffs and the chorus to match. But in the end, what you ponder the most is; what kind of a girl looks like a riot?
The Antlers – Drift Drive
Their Sophomore album, Burst Apart, was released last year and it was just as impressive as their debut. To hold us over until the band get around to releasing a new album, they’ve gifted us with a four-track EP, entitled Undersea. ‘Drift Drive’ is the first track to surface from the EP, which is set to be released at the end of the month. Suitably, this track has the melancholy that you’d expect of The Antlers. You quickly realise that the title of the EP is an apt choice with the song reminiscent of the ocean.
Oh Mercy – Drums
Oh Mercy certainly got us wondering what their new sound would exactly entail when the trailer for their album, Deep Heat, dropped. ‘Drums’ is the first taste of the record, out August 24 and it is the huge departure from their previous two albums that we were expecting. Alexander Gow’s howl and falsetto, combined with groove tinged riffs, all but ensure the songs heightened sense of bravado.
