We listen to a lot of music here at Tone Deaf HQ, and we’re the first to admit we’re perhaps a little biased towards sounds of the Australian variety. We do make the best music in the world, after all.
In honouring our favourite Aussies, we’ve once again compiled a list of the most outstanding local releases you should be listening to right now – whether they’re smaller indies acts or big-name essentials, these are the newest Australian records you should be adding to your ‘must-listen’ list.
Let’s get started.
Hoodlum Shouts – Heat Island (Poison City)
Four years between albums feels like a damn long time for fans of Canberra rockers Hoodlum Shouts, but the wait has clearly been more than worth it.
From cover to cover Heat Island is blissfully ear grating, giving the audience space to breath while the claustrophobia of our socially scarred nation sets in.
It’s not just the production. Nail biting, visceral musicianship and cracking vocalisms convey just how world weary Hoodlum Shouts have become, probably from living so close to Australia’s tumultuous political epicentre. Not all grim and dim the albums naked lyricisms hint at the good behind the bad, the band wishing for a pot of gold at the end of a greying rainbow.
L-Fresh the Lion – Become (Elefant Traks)
One of the most important and progressive names in Aussie hip hop right now is without a doubt Sydney emcee and lyricist L-Fresh the Lion.
Out via the iconic Elefant Traks label, L-Fresh has recently dropped his new album Become a record that see L-Fresh navigate the complexities and tensions that come with inheriting and adopting two very different cultures.
Beyond being a powerful and moving story that widens the cope of Australia’s cultural narrative, Become also features some of the most socially fascinating and well produced music we’ve heard this year. We’re saying it now, contender for one of the most important records of 2016.
Vera Blue – Fingertips (Universal)
A follow up to her ubiquitous 2015 single ‘Hold’ Sydney-based singer-songwriter Vera Blue has just unveiled her five track debut EP Fingertips and proof that she’s more than a one track (however stunning that track was) wonder.
It’s an evolution that feels like coming home for the folk artist hailing from Forbes. Vera explains the creation of this EP “I’ve always wanted to create something that’s a blend of folk and cool, heavy, thick sounds,” she says. “This is the music I have been wanting to make and I feel like I’m unleashing.”
Candid, intimate and soaring Fingertips signals the introduction to an extremely powerful and promising Aussie songwriting talent. We cannot wait to see what else she comes up with.
Halcyon Drive – Untethered EP (Independent)
A step back from the discordant writing and recording of their last EP, Halcyon Drive deliver the goods with their crispy new EP, a love letter to creativity and unique experience.
Recorded during a two week shut in at a lush makeshift studio in the middle of the Otways, Untethered has that warm lived in feeling, despite occasionally jarring guitar and synth tones.
Sprawling production and instrumentation confirm that the spirit of experimentation is live and well in the souls of Halcyon Drive. The bubbly energy that comes with free play permeates the five short tracks, hinting at the vibes of an LP soon to come.
Paul Dempsey – Strange Loop (EMI)
A man that really needs no introduction, Paul Dempsey, one of Australia’s most hailed singer-songwriter treasures, last week unveiled his eagerly awaited second solo album, Strange Loop.
A follow on from the stunning singles ‘Morningless’ and ‘The True Sea’, Strange Loop was co-produced by Paul Dempsey and Tom Schick (Wilco, Ryan Adams) at Wilco’s The Loft Studio in Chicago. An an eclectic yet incisive second solo album, the record sees Dempsey confirming yet again his standing as one of Australia’s crucial composers and lyricists.
“With every new song and each new record you just hope to chisel everything a little cleaner than last time, paint the scenery in more precise detail and give some extra dimensions to the stories and also to have as much fun as possible creating all the accompanying noise. I feel completely satisfied that I’ve done that with this record.” says Dempsey of the new LP. A stunning effort from one of this country’s most iconic songwriters.
From Oslo – From Oslo (Habit)
We reckon it’s about time you get familiar with Melbourne new comer, the punk rock duo From Oslo who are today announcing the release of their self-titled EP (set for release this Friday May 13th via Habit).
Featuring blistering vocals, powerful guitar hooks and cleverly crafted songwriting – it’s not surprising that the band’s single ‘No Sound’ has been copping serious triple j love.
Recorded in their hometown of Melbourne with up-and-coming producer Jez Giddings (Clowns, Sincerely Grizzly) we have the pleasure of premiering the five track release for you today, check it out below and if you like what you’re hearing be sure to catch the pair on the road this June and July.
