The amazing Laura Marling is back with the first taste from her fourth album with ‘Where Can I Go’ and doesn’t disappoint, nor does the next first taste from everyone’s favourite singer songwriter City And Colour, followed by the return of local lasses Beaches, the UK’s The Jim Jones Revue have a new track, along with a Hadouken Koven Remix and the mixtape is finished off with homegrown artists Willow Beats, Dash and Wild Oats.
Laura Marling – Where Can I Go
The darling Ms. Marling is back with the first taste of her fourth album, Once I Was An Eagle. Much like 2011’s A Creature I Don’t Know, there is an obvious American country and soul influence but is coupled with the Brit’s gentle, enchanting voice. Complete with subtle backing organ, the song beautifully builds from soft finger-picking and Marling’s low and resonant whisper, to a full band playing the uptempo melody and Marling’s voice soaring over the top, asking “where can I go?” Judging from this album opener, the only way is up.
City And Colour – Of Space And Time
The man with the smoothest vocals is back with a new single – the teaser to his much anticipated new album set for release this year. the musicality differs slightly to cuts off Bring Me Your Love and Little Hell with bigger drums and less of an emphasis on his acoustic guitar skills. While the subject matter may be pretty much the same (we get it Mr. Green, you’re a long way from home and miss your love), we’re of the firm opinion that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Beaches – Distance
Taken from their soon the be released second album She Beats, ‘Distance” is the newest release from garage-y, noise band Beaches. With sweet female vocals reminiscent of the late Trish Keenan, and a guitar line that just won’t quit, it’s no wonder this girl-heavy melbourne five piece have been finding such success.
The Jim Jones Revue – 7 – Times Around The Sun
A punchy new release from UK five-piece Jim Jones Revue taken from their 2012 release The Savage Heart, ‘7 Times Around The Sun’ captures the classic sing-a-long lyricism of Jones and co. With boppy hand claps and an impressive piano riff the Revue take us on a head-spinning trip that will most certainly compliment their high-energy live show. Here’s hoping they return to our shores soon!
Hadouken – Levitate (Koven Remix)
British band Hadouken describe their music as ‘dance music to start circle pits to’, so Koven’s remix of their track ‘Levitate’ would certainly make them proud. Whilst the UK duo’s remix notably slows down the tempo of the original, they make up for it by creating suspenseful synth-laden buildups that get broken by sudden drops of heavy, dubstep-infused beats. For the desired reason or not, it’ll make you want to punch someone in the face.
Willow Beats – Alchemy
Having been cast ashore with a regimented roll of the snare to finally disintegrate into an organic foliage of electronica, Willow Beat’s new release “Alchemy” teases the ear without mercy. Juxtaposing grating surfaces, swelling with ethereal vocals and arrhythmic beats, it is within the realm of dizzying chaos that madness erupts than recedes as the sounds of a lapping current drags the listener back home. The journey is not unpleasant by any means, if anything it should be taken again.
Dash – The World Behind
It’s always nice to hear a local band start a track with a banjo and Melbourne folk blues four-piece Dash, do just that in their single ‘The World Behind’, lead by vocalist Sarah-Rose, with complete control over her vocals, the track meanders as a ballad for the first two minutes with only the banjo, the right amount of percussion and and Sarah-Rose’s stunningly haunting vocals, with layering effects if you listen closely enough, before opening out with the full band for a big finish. The band launch their EP in Melbourne at Ding Dong Friday 15th March and are well worth checking out.
Wild Oats – Black The Panes
Adelaide trio Wild Oats have delivered the opening track and single ‘Black The Panes’ from their debut record Bounty, recorded in living rooms and basement spaces around Adelaide. A great first release for this young band, keeping true to their sound which is stripped back in each versus, but still full of lush guitar tones, vocals in each chorus finished off with honest and raw production. If you enjoy locals such as Dick Diver and Sleep Decade, check these guys out, in Melbourne on 16th March.
