What a ripper of a mixtape we’ve got for you this week. Kicking things off is the ever-soulful Janelle Monae, whose new song is our feature for the week. Continuing on, we’ve got the much anticipated new track from Brisbane indie-rockers John Steel Singers, some fresh jams from The Bon Scotts and The Aston Shuffle, some tunes from Londoners The 1975 and more!
Janelle Monáe – ‘PrimeTime’ ft. Miguel
Janelle Monáe is back with her second album, The Electric Lady, which follows on from her incredible debut album back in 2010. ‘PrimeTime’ is a wonderful ballad bringing out Janelle’s softer side, and really showcasing her signature vocals. Joined by Miguel for this track it’s smooth with great soulful harmonies and funky Prince like guitar solos too. Welcome back Janelle!
Resin Dogs – ‘Still The Beats’
Nearly five years (or as they put it; “28 dog years”) since their last release, the remix album, More Or Less, the duo’s latest offering encompasses the best of Aussie hip-hop. Taken from their forthcoming Beats From Downunder EP due in October, the track includes vocals from Dialectrix with accompanying horns and funk grooves allowing some serious party energy to flow through.
The John Steel Singers – ‘Everything’s A Thread’
The title track from the six piece’s sophomore album does everything it should. While it still retains the guitar pop of their 2010 debut, Tangalooma, ‘Everything’s A Thread’ sounds like a slight upgrade to their core sound. It’s heavier yet still as infectious as The John Steel Singers should be.
The Aston Shuffle – ‘Comfortable (ft. Will Heard)’
Sydney-based house duo The Aston Shuffle are back with another banger. Their latest track, ‘Comfortable (ft. Will Heard)’ is a steaming club anthem with an electrifying energy that is bound to ignite dance floors around the country. UK singer-songwriter Will Heard provides the soulful crooning as the track goes through phases of suspenseful build-ups and purely bombastic breakdowns. Expect to hear more cuts of electronic bliss from The Aston Shuffle’s forthcoming sophomore album.
The Bon Scotts – ‘The Weekend Bends’
The Bon Scotts are back with their latest offering of purely infectious and endearingly joyful indie pop. The Melbourne band’s new one, ‘The Weekend Bends’, is an uplifting track that’ll pick you up out of your mid-week blues. Filled with foot-stomping sing-along chants and sunny folk instrumentals, it’s got that same happy spirit as fellow folksters Edward Sharpe And The Magnetic Zeros. Challenge: press play and try not to feel a little warmer inside.
Tokyo Denmark Sweden – ‘Turning Time’
Sydney’s indie-dance trio, Tokyo Denmark Sweden, are back with their new single ‘Turning Time’. TDS are still a young band having only formed back in late 2011, but they have already shown great growth, with this new single being proof of that. The tune’s smooth electronic disco vibe perfectly showcasing Amy’s indie pop vocals, and musically the track builds up in to each chorus before backing off again for the each verses, making it one catchy little tune.
Eliza Hull – ‘Christopher’
Coming from her sophomore EP The Ghosts You Never Catch, ‘Christopher’ sees Eliza Hull show off her impressive vocal range without sounding like a desperate Australian Idolcontestant. In this delicately written song, Hull’s vocals sit neatly above Dylan Hill’s perfectly appropriate beats. She’ll be launching the EP up and down the east coast early next month.
The 1975 – ‘Sex’
The British quartet released their debut effort this September after a number of EPs, jumping upto No. 1 on the UK Albums charts within the week of its release. ‘Sex’ covers all possible ground, pairing a narrative consisting of some fleeting romantic feelings and some of the best produced, tightly crafted and tuned pop-rock around. Driven guitars, a very present bass and a simple drum pattern all provide a solid platform for vocalist, Healy, to direct his soft-spoken voice across the track on the somewhat personal topic of intimate relations. Surprisingly, the band delivers on some unexpected instrumental sections, making the most of the space given by a rather heavy reverb effect across the mix.
