Mixtape #105

The accidental theme of this Mixtape #105 seems to be ‘mystery’ with two, coyly musical acts taking taking our fancy this week. Firstly though we’ve got our feature track for the week from Toronto-based group, Austra. Then, some she-rock from She Rex, ambient-indie goodness in the form of Seja’s new track, a former Pearl Jam’s member’s solo ditty, Steve Martin’s latest musical attempt, and then the mystery begins. Basement Tapes, the ever-elusive NZ producer has hit us with some soul-infused electro, while Lee’Mon are back with another cryptic tune. Finally, to wrap it all up, we’ve got the latest jam from roots/latin Sydneysiders Watussi, which is sure to warm your cold winter bones, as well as a soon-to-be club anthem from Iggy Azealea.. Enjoy!

Austra- ‘Painful Like’

Despite being from Toronto, Austra make music that is undeniably British-sounding. With a mid-atlantic inflection to the lyrics, it’s easy to find yourself singing in time with the ditty. With bellowing vocals and a funky, dubby beat, Austra’s latest single ‘Painful Like’ is bound to be a success among those who hold harmonies and a fun rhythm above all else.

SHE REX – ‘P.O.W.E.R.’

Firstly, full points on the band name. Understandably, ‘P.O.W.E.R.’ shows a similar level of deceptively smart creativity. Is it hip-hop-inflected rock? Or grunge driven tribal music? It’s neither and yet, in its distorted drum crunch and dirty sonic lashings, a bit of all of the above. Recalling Santigold or M.I.A. at their most sneering in its rap delivery, but with a distinctive (but not cringeworthy) Aussie twang, She Rex mix a punk-as-fuck attitude and roaring rock palette with hip hop’s conviction and style.

Seja – ‘Like Fireflies’

Brisbane’s Seja Vogel has spent time loitering with some distinctive talent in the recording of her forthcoming album All Our Wires, and it shows. With a squiggling analogue synth line doodling over a vintage organ part, ‘Like Fireflies’ features Seja’s multi-tracked, crisp vocals sauntering across the rhythm section (with Regurgitator’s Ben Ely providing a popping little bass part). A spry little piece of pop, complete with ‘shoo-wop, shoo-wops’.

Stone Gossard – ‘I Don’t Want To Go To Bed’

‘I Don’t Want To Go To Bed’ is a dark and mellow track from Stone Gossard. The Pearl Jam guitarist’s first solo album Moonlander is due June 25 via Pearl Jam’s own Monkeywrench Records. The first single is a melodic slow track with heavy drums with a real sense of drone especially in Gossard’s deep but engaging vocals. As expected, there are some 90s sounding guitars but with a great piano line giving the track a lighter feel. Overall an interesting track.

Steve Martin & Edie Brickell – ‘When You Get To Ashville’

With finger picking bango and one of the most recognisable female voices from the 80s, this is a match made in musical heaven.Steve Martin and Edie Brickell team up together on ‘When You Get To Ashville’ and capitalise on Brickell’s soft but warm vocals with the production seeing her vocals at the forefront with the bango and the strings sitting just underneath it. The lyrics are kind, gentle and loving, making it a completely stunning track.

Basement Tapes – ‘Release Me’

Not much is actually known about Basement Tapes. We know he is a producer from Auckland making hella-catchy Flume-esque beats, and matching them with some soulful guest vocals. Mashing electro sensibilities with hip-hop beats, it’s hard not to succumb to the catchiness of Basement Tapes. Taken from The Vapour EP ‘Release Me’ is one you won’t be able to let go of for a while.

Lee’Mon – ‘Adam, Albert & Eve’

Describing themselves as “Damien Albarn, Kele Okereke & Ned Kelly arguing politics in the corner of a ‘young ones’ episode whilst watching a Tim Burton film” it’s easy to see why Lee’Mon are still as a shrouded in mystery today as when they jumped on the scene years ago. ‘Adam, Albert & Eve’ is an up-tempo indie-pop number not unlike their older tunes, with the main difference being the lack of experimentation. While maybe seeming slightly more vanilla than ‘Genetics’, it’s still catchy as fuck.

Watussi- ‘Como Mi Ritmo’

The Sydney-based Latin inspired roots band are back with another kicking jam that’ll make you forget you’re stuck in the middle of a cold dreary winter and have you picturing a cocktail-sipping session on the beaches of sunny South America. With a kicking horn section, a stellar piano solo, and more life than possibly imaginable, we dare you not to dance. Go on.

Iggy Azealea- ‘Bounce’

Ms. Azealea is back with another anthem for the clubs. The NSW singer/rapper does her best at channeling some of her American counterparts in this heavily auto-tuned ode to the dancefloor. With the chorus line of “Shake It/break It/make it bounce” bound to get stuck in your head, this is a song that’s destined to be a hit with the masses.