One more sleep until Melbourne Music Week is upon us, and to be honest we cannot wait. Having unveiled what might be their most spectacular flagship venue yet, the organisers of Melbourne Music Week 2015 have outdone themselves with this year’s full program, featuring a stacked lineup that includes DZ Deathrays, PVT, Ella Thompson, and more.
One event we’re particular excited for is the I Oh You curated MMW party on Sunday the 15th. Featuring DZ Deathrays, New War, Darts as well as a slew of rad DJ sets this one one Sunday sesh to end them all.
To celebrate the upcoming party, and the incredible year in music we’ve had so far in 2015 the I Oh You crew have shared with us their favourite tracks of the year. Check them out below and for more info on the MMW X I Oh You party pop by www.iohyou.com
Gold Class – ‘Bite Down’
Lifted from their stirring debut album ‘It’s You’, Melbourne band Gold Class really raised the stakes with this one in 2015. Bite Down holds a wildly arresting vocal performance, scintillating guitars and the kind of swagger that never truly lets you rest easy. Unforgiving in so many ways.
Nico Yaryan – ‘Just Tell Me’
After Nico Yaryan departed his role as live drummer for Hanni El Khatib, he went to Holland and joined the girl of his dreams. It wasn’t long after that he was deported, and in a time of need, he retreated to Los Angeles where this song was penned. ‘Just Tell Me’ is surprisingly buoyant and joyful given the circumstances. Really love the groove to this one.
Foals – ‘What Went Down’
It didn’t take them long, but oh boy did this one hit. Lead singer Yannis Phillipakis shines on the track that announced the UK band’s return in blinding fashion. It’s got all of the trademarks of classics such as ‘Inhaler’, but there’s a certain malice that gives weight to the whole thing in a new way.
Majical Cloudz – ‘Downtown’
Are You Alone by Majical Cloudz is one of the defining records of the year for us. ‘Downtown’ was one of the first glimpses of the LP and continues to reward on each listen; seemingly simple structures collapse so beautifully under the weight of the tidal moods and hearty textures at play throughout.
Bully – ‘I Remember’
Ferocious, honest and brutal. Three words that accurately describe Bully’s debut LP ‘Feels Like’. Alicia Bognanno and her bandmates have crafted a record that taps into the beating pulse of the punk scene in Austin right now and blows it right open for the world to hear. ‘I Remember’ is just the tip of the iceberg – but it should be enough to get you hooked.
Tame Impala – ‘Let It Happen’
Don’t need to go into this one too much. It felt like an instant classic the first time we gave it a spin and has since lost none of its charm. It probably shouldn’t work, but it does.
Royal Headache – ‘High’
As far as emphatic returns go – they don’t come much bigger than Royal Headache’s year defining tune ‘High’. The band’s album of the same name has been on repeat in the I OH YOU offices for some time and that doesn’t look like changing any time soon.
LA Priest – ‘Party Zute/Learning To Love’
Fans of Late of the Pier will remember Sam Dust – the band’s enigmatic lead singer, well known for pushing the boundaries of pop music with the cult mid-2000’s band. Now, he’s back under a new guise. LA Priest set the tone for a new world of weird and wonderful pop in 2015 with his debut Inji that came out via Domino. ‘Party Zute/Learning To Love’ is a fitting introduction for the uninitiated.
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – ‘Wide Eyes’
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever quickly became a local favourite this year with the release of their Talk Tight EP. ‘Wide Eyes’ is a cracking single that captures the feeling of getting out of town – fast. Perfectly imperfect.
Alba – ‘Operator’
Thomas McAlister and Sam Weston make up Sydney duo Alba – they’re quickly carving a name for themselves as one of the city’s foremost authorities on emotive techno music. ‘Operator’ is one of a handful of superb releases from the guys in 2015. For the headphones or the club; this one doesn’t discriminate.
