The one and only Sharon Jones is the maker of our feature track this week, and we’ve also got some local jams from the likes of The Stevens, Jeremy Neale, and Jonesez as well as some international treats from Johnny Pearce! Check out the jams.
Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings -‘Retreat!’
Just as soul revivalists Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were set to releaser their new album “Give The People What They Want” in August last year, vocalist/wonder woman Jones was diagnosed with bile duct cancer and the whole thing was put on hold. With Jones now having undergone successful surgery, the album is set for release in January 2014. This first single “Retreat!” is as sassy and powerful as ever – Jones is back with a vengeance.
KOWL – ‘Who Am I’
Cal Young, one half of Tasmanian electro-synth group The Scientists of Modern Music, has released the first single of his upcoming debut EP. Under the pseudonym KOWL, Young keeps pulling thick synth tones and laying them down on a tidy disco beat. The track is perfect for summer and it comes out at just the right time of year.
Jeremy Neale – ‘Swing Left’
Swing Left is the latest single release from Brisbane’s jovial character that is Jeremy Neale and boy do the Zombies-like vocal takes hold. The chorus of the poppy ‘60s inspired track erupts into a kaleidoscope of swooping keys and fuzzy guitar hooks as Neal climatically crows “aaaaand I walk through the town”. One listen of this track and you’ll have Neal’s stop-start “RIGHT LEFT. LEFT” burnt into your conscious for the day, and you’ll be smiling because of it.
Millar Jukes – ‘Love Me All Night’
If you dig the early work of The Beatles, then you may just dig Melbourne artist Millar Jukes. Brandishing a harmonica like legend Paul Kelly, his track ‘Love Me All Night’ takes a pinch of folk, mashes it in with some country and tops it all off with a little rock ‘n’ roll. The Scottish lad sure packs a punch with catchy vocal melodies and a groovy beat in what is an all-round fantastic track. Could totally see this guy jamming with Jake Bugg and The Strypes – it’s worth a listen.
Jonesez – ‘P-90’
The first thing you should know about Jonesez is that if you go to their website you can literally play a Pacman game featuring band members as ghosts and that in itself is pretty darn amusing. The second thing you should know is that this track is the first single from the Melbourne slack rockers upcoming album, Lazyboy and it’s vibrant and energetic and great. There’s also a true to form, hilarious video clip detailing an unsuccessful studio session. The group are set to tour the single in November.
Jonny Pierce – ‘Home’
With a gloriously sunny plucked guitar melody running throughout, Jonny Pierce’s ‘Home’ sounds like it is more likely to overlook theSouth Californian coast than his local Brooklyn Bridge. Using swirling synths,simple-but-effective vocal harmonies, and a drum break that wouldn’t be out of place on a Beach Boys track, the Drums front man has created a dreamy pop tune that is likely to find its way onto many summer soundtracks.
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The Stevens – ‘Hindsight’
The Stevens, along with Chapter Music stable mates Twerps and Dick Diver, have arguably been the greatest proponents of the scratchy,guitar-driven pop sound that has been insanely popular around Melbourne in recent times. The group’s latest offering ‘Hindsight’ doesn’t so much move away from this sound as build on it. There is a depth provided by the beautiful harmonies that run throughout, and the greater vocal range employed helps this track stand out in a market that is currently saturated with lo-fi guitar pop groups.
Ian Ball – ‘Open Sesame’
Gomez’ Ian Ball is back with his self-titled solo project, dabbling in something a little different to what we’re used to hearing. Far more electronic and experimental than ever previously but Ball retains his boyish vocal charm throughout. ‘Open Sesame’ is the result of varying layered textures, a variety of timbres all packed into four minutes of song. The juxtaposition of a marimba and the expected swelling synthesised pads makes for an interesting mix that definitely adds to the character. It’s this blending of the organic and inorganic that really brings the song into its own. The new album, Unfold Yourself, is to be released this November. Shortly after, Ball makes his way around the nation playing both his new material and the Gomez tracks you love.
