Our first mixtape for the year and it’s a cracker! The feature track ‘Call Me In The Afternoon’ is from Canadian Folk Rockers Half Moon Run who are currently in the country on their debut Australian tour. Next up a track that dominated the internet for the last 24 hours, Mr David Bowie with the first track off his forthcoming album due out in March, Los Angeles group Local Natives have new track, The Orbweavers released a stunning new single just before Christmas, Dan Webb has released the first track from his series of 12 songs in 12 months and Thom Yorke has a new track with his side project Atoms For Peace. Enjoy!
Half Moon Run – Call Me in The Afternoon
‘Call Me In The Afternoon’ is the second single from Canadian band Half Moon Run’s stunning debut album ‘Dark Eyes’. The track starts with Devon Portielje’s dreamy vocals and layered harmonies from Conner Molander and Dylan Phillips before launching into big percussive pounding drum beats, soundscape guitars and swirling keys, that continues to build into a really dynamic instrumental and vocal level. Currently on their debut Australian tour this band is a must see, as is the video for this track.
David Bowie – Where Are We Now?
The first taste of Bowie’s first album in a decade, March’s The Next Day, picks up where the music master last left us on record with 2003’s Reality. ‘Where Are We Now?’ mimics the downtrodden, reflective tone of that album’s closing track ‘Bring Me The Disco King’ both musically and lyrically. Bowie sings – with a vulnerable croak – of “walking the dead” as he takes a footstep tour of his old German haunt, Berlin. Name checking landmarks like the Potzdamer Platz and the Nurnberger Strasse over a haunting backdrop of eerie guitars and nostalgic piano as the self-described ‘man lost in time’ croons, ‘the moment you know you know.
Local Natives – Heavy Feet
The Los Angeles indie rock outfit are gearing up towards the follow up to their debut Gorilla Manor with their forthcoming sophomore release Hummingbirds due out at the end of January. Giving us a taste of what’s to come is ‘Heavy Feet’, a constantly building melodic tune. The key is in the details here with hand claps and additional guitar lines creating an irresistibly catchy chorus.
The Orbweavers – The Hook
When listening to the latest track from the Melbourne-based duo, one can’t help but picture a sombre movie scene; a protagonist walking down a rainy road trying to figure out where it all went wrong.’The Hook’ is gentle without ever being boring which is thanks in large part to lead singer Marita Dyson’s soft yet captivating voice. The vocals combined with Stuart Flannagan’s strumming guitar which is reminiscent of Damian Rice and early Remy Zero. The Orbweavers have a great knack for producing music that’s both personal and universal and ‘The Hook’ is no exception.
Dan Webb – Departure (feat. Kylie Auldist)
The first release in a really interesting concept series of releasing 12 songs in 12 months by Melbourne artist Dan Webb. Enlisting music heavy weights to help out with his recordings including Peter Marin (Paul Kelly, Bertie Blackman), Josh Jones (Dan Sultan, Gossling) & Kieran Conrau & Ari Farrar from The Cat Empire horn section. The January release features soul vocalist Kylie Auldist (The Bamboos) along with Dan on an incredibly soulful and upbeat track with killer horns. Stay tuned for a new track each month from the very talented Dan Webb.
Atoms For Peace – Judge Jury And Executioner
It’s hard to touch an idol, let alone a supergroup full of them. Luckily for fans of the spectacular lineup that makes up Atoms For Peace (see: Thom Yorke, Nigel Godrich, Flea, Joey Waronker & Mauro Refosco) this latest offering from the five-piece is nothing short of amazing. ‘Judge Jury And Executioner’ is the second official release from the band’s upcoming and stupendously anticipated album Amok (set for release on February 25th) and all looks promising..With an upbeat percussive section and hauntingly echo-y vocals, this latest cut differs from the original ‘Default’ in that it’s far more subtle and lyrically reliant. Really though, how could we ever fault these geniuses? So far Atoms For Peace is exactly what we want it to be; an impeccably produced, collaborative, and current project.
