This week’s mixtape if quite a doozy with a heavy dose of local acts from Sia and Fractures to some great international jams from Sebastian Grainger, Cosmo Jarvis and more! Get it in ya!
Sia – ‘Elastic Heart’ (ft. The Weeknd & Diplo)
Australia’s first lady of pop has teamed up with The Weeknd’s Abel Tesfaye and production mastermind Diplo in a brilliant, soaring new song for the official The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack. It’s called ‘Elastic Heart’ and it’s a stunningly powerful pop anthem with an uplifting sing-along chorus and foot stomping beats (courtesy of Diplo) to match – in other words, it’s vintage Sia. The rest of the Catching Fire soundtrack features the likes of Coldplay, The National and Ellie Goulding, but they’re going to have a tough time topping this.
Fractures – ‘Cadence’
Melbourne’s Fractures has dropped another gorgeous slice of soulful, down-tempo pop. Having caught the attention of Triple J and the entire blogosphere with the spine-tingling ‘Twisted’, ‘Cadence’ proves that Mark Zito’s magnetic sonic conjurations are no fluke and will no doubt fuel the ongoing (and completely justified) comparisons to the likes of James Blake, Chet Faker and Snakadaktal. The combination of Zito’s smooth vocals and the delicate, reverbed soundscapes is once again superb and makes the wait for next year’s debut EP even more gruelling.
Loose Change – ‘Shoosh’!
Sometimes it’s nice to have a bit of quiet, ya know? The Sydney-siders of Loose Change couldn’t open in a more straight-up get fucked manner to those pains of asses who feel the need to fill all space and time with the sound of their voices. This light-hearted hip-hop beat doesn’t take itself too seriously as it spins in a chilled-out pace backed by infectious oriental inspired loop. Loose Change break it down by adding a funkadelic riff and an equally fed up heroine proclaiming in harmonisation “people need to learn when to shut up” as the track pieces it together. These dudes provide a jam for every painstaking elevator ride, that smoke break you’ve been scratching for or that commute home on public transport: “people need to learn when to shut up.”
Sebastien Grainger – ‘Going With You’
Sebastien Grainger is one half of the adored Canadian dance-punk duo, Death From Above 1979. Going With You is the first release from Grainger’s debut LP record Yours To Discover set for the stands in November this year. This track doesn’t distance itself drastically from Death From Above’s work. It’s a synthesized jam laced with an energetic bass line that explodes into an electric dance hook that’ll undoubtedly coerce a sea of feet to the dance floor. Going With You is entirely infectious as the chorus pounds “I been outside waiting for ya, I’ll go with you anywhere. New York City! California! I’m the one that’s going with ya!”. Grainger’s initial solo release is set to stun listeners whilst maintaining the legions of lovers first transfixed from the Death From Above 1979 work.
Cosmo Jarvis – ‘They Don’t Build Hearts Like They Used To’
How Cosmo Jarvis had the time to write/direct/star/produce/score a film AND release a new EP all within the same year is anybody’s guess, but for all of these things to be awesome as well is pretty incredible. ‘They Don’t Build Hearts’ is the title track from the afformentioned EP, and there’s something about it’s gleeful energy that make this tune catchy as all hell. If you’re into indie/brit-pop-rock acts like The Mystery Jets, then this will definitely be your cup of tea.
Jackie Onassis – ‘Juliette’
Some super smooth beats are only a fraction of what’s on display in this new track from Sydney hip-hop duo Jackie Onassis. ‘Juliette’ is packed to the brim with dynamics and fine lyrics, but it’s the beat that really showcases the talent Jackie Onassis possesses. The extensive layering of the track is to be commended; this radical tune will sit comfortably on radio airwaves. If it follows in the footsteps of previous single ‘Smoke Trails’, expect to hear this pumping out of people’s subwoofers this summer.
The Creases – ‘I Won’t Wait’
If the lo-fi of The Creases is anything to go by, their latest track ‘I Won’t Wait’ is a ripper. Soothing backing vocals and scuzzy guitar result in an eclectic and groovy tune oozing surf vibes and the work of My Bloody Valentine. Dynamic and ’60s-esque, listening to ‘I Won’t Wait’ makes you feel like you are being dipped into a place brimming with sunshine – perhaps Brisbane, where the band calls home. Chuck these guys on a lineup with DIIV and triple j Unearthed winners Lunatics On Pogosticks and you’d have one killer day ahead.
The Butterfly Effect – ‘Eyes Down’
This latest release from Brisbane prog-rockers The Butterfly Effect marks the debut of brand spanking new vocalist Paul Gallagher. Gallagher replaces Clint Boge, who left the band following a farewell tour in 2012. The track was gifted to dedicated fans, receiving it for free via the bands mailing list and has been receiving a flurry of online praise ever since. Gallagher kicks off his stint as frontman with The Butterfly Effect October Tour, commencing in Brisbane on October 10th.
