Another exciting week of releases for Australian music and we just couldn’t pass on adding to in our mixtape. Our feature comes from Melbourne via NZ lads Bonjah with their brand new single produced by the man behind Way of the Eagle, Jan Skubiszewski. Continuing on, we’ve got the got new tracks from Catherine Traicos, Canadian’s Bear Mountain, Miami Horror, Harmony , Private & US duo Papa.
Bonjah – ‘Blue Tone Black Heart’
Melbourne-via-New Zealand outfit Bonjah have recently enjoyed some blogosphere and radio love with their stripped-back cover of Lorde’s ‘Royals’, but now the boys have returned back to their familiar amped-up rock roots with their latest single ‘Blue Tone Black Heart’. Produced by Jan Skubiszewski (Way Of The Eagle), the track is an appetising taste of their forthcoming third album due out in March next year. With frenetic guitar riffs and Glenn Mossop’s husky lead vocals, Bonjah’s no-frills, no-bullshit approach to rock is completely on point.
Catherine Traicos and the Starry Night – ‘Light In The Dark’
Catherine Traicos has returned this time with her wonderful band the Starry Night to release the first single ‘Light In The Dark’ from the forthcoming deep, but dark and very beautiful full length album The Earth, the Sea, the Moon, the Sky due for release this November. ‘Light In The Dark’ features Catherine’s sultry country-esque vocals, over the top of very understated percussion and guitars that allow her voice to really be the key ingredient of the track.
Bear Mountain – ‘Two Step’
Bear Mountain is made up of Vancouver natives Ian Bevis and Kyle Statham who together craft a colourful blend of dance-inducing indie electronica. Their breakout single ‘Two Step’ manages to combine congo drums, warbling dubstep and a glitched vocal sample from a black and white film, and somehow blends them together into a track that’s perfect to chuck on at the peak hour of a house party. This Canadian duo don’t follow any guidelines, but their earworm synth-fuelled sound shows that sometimes breaking all the rules is the best way to go.
Miami Horror – ‘Real Slow (ft. Sarah Chernoff)
After a long three years, Miami Horror have finally returned with a brand new summer-ready single. Picking up where they last left off, ‘Real Slow’ is a hook-filled pop anthem glistening with sun-drenched ‘80s synths, a flickering piano line and bright disco groove. This time the sing-along vocals are provided by Sarah Chernoff, whose sugary harmonies slot in perfectly with the grooving electronica bubbling around her. Once again managing to capture the vibe of summer in a catchy four-minute song, Miami Horror’s upcoming album is destined to become another soundtrack for the sunny season.
Harmony – ‘ Cut Myself Clean’
Listing ‘depression’ and ‘skateboarding’ as their band interests on Facebook, Melbourne act Harmony leave their genre to one’s imagination. But their latest song ‘Cut Myself Clean’ is an exhibition of just that – a blues/rock ballad seemingly crafted from tears. Beginning with gorgeous and slightly haunting gospel harmonies preaching of drowning in blood, the track evolves into a dramatic sea shanty dipping its fingers into the raw emotion you’d find in songs by La Dispute. Heartbreaking, gripping and addictive, this six-piece are intent on bearing all – the end result a brooding tale of loss, pain and probably a few boxes of Kleenex tissues.
Private Life – ‘Escalator’
The dynamic duo that is Melbourne’s Private Life has produced an undeniably infectious synth-pop dance beat entitled Escalator. Anderson’s unique yet utterly girly husk flirtatiously throws “I could ride you all day long” set upon a backdrop of electronic technicolour at the hands of partner in crime Barlow not too distant from the sounds of Sweden’s Little Dragon. The track progresses seamlessly as we follow the carefree no-where-else-to-be Anderson on her escalator to the cosmos as she pauses between chorus to assure us “there is no way I’m going back down there! No way!”. Escalator is precisely as the title suggests: a synthesized soaring ascension into the Private Life of Jamie Barlow and Renee Anderson. Take a ride on Private Life’s Escalator to the shimmering club-inspired dream-pop galaxy.
Papa – ‘Young Rut’
Californian duo Darren Weiss (ex Girls drummer) & Daniel Presant aka Papa have released ‘Young Rut” which has been taken from their upcoming debut album “Tender Madness” due for release in the US in October . The pair sound like the are from Brooklyn more than LA, as it has a darker indie rock feel that you don’t normally get form Californian bands, with an incredibly full which is surprising for a two piece. Weiss’ vocals sound very familiar, but not enough to liken to anyone else. Keep an ear out for the album.
