What a ripper of a mixtape we’ve got for you this week. Kicking things off is Melbourne rockers Immigrant Union, whose new song is our feature for the week. Continuing on, we’ve got the much anticipated new track from Glasgow indie-rockers Franz Ferdinand, the fresh jam from Stolen Violin – the new moniker of the former Middle East frontman – some tunes from Brisbane’s The Reversals, a little hip-hop from Bliss n Eso, and more!
Immigrant Union – ‘Alison’
Taken from Immigrant Union’s forthcoming sophomore album Anyway, due for release in early 2014, ‘Alison’ is “a song about a person trying to get out of a shitty situation… a dude feeling overwhelmed by the whole deal”. Splicing together psychedelic-infused folk and conventional country sounds, the result is an endearingly vintage-tinged track led by simple storytelling and raw, honest instrumentals reminiscent of fellow Aussie outfits Dick Diver and Twerps. Textured acoustic guitars, lightly tapping drums and laid-back vocals make this one perfect easy listening for these cold winter days. Australian bands just seem to do acoustic better than anyone else.
Franz Ferdinand – ‘Right Action’
Franz Ferdinand are back with two new tracks off their forthcoming album. ‘Right Action’ is the tune that appealed to us the most. Guess it’s fair to say they’re back and in fine form with the new song proving it has everything you need from the Scottish boys. It’s got a funky bass line, catchy fun lyrics with big band backing vocals, and jangly guitars, so it’s bound to be another dance floor filler, in the vein that ‘Take Me Out’ was back in the day.
Stolen Violin – ‘Short Cuts To True Love’
When The Middle East, the promising indie folk collective from Townsville announced their break up in mid-2011, fans were devastated at the prospect of not hearing music from the promising musicians involved. Luckily, co-frontman Jordan Ireland has now released new music under the moniker Stolen Violin, and it’s every bit as emotive and endearing as his previous band’s work. The debut record, Temperate Touch, Tropical Tears is available digitally now, and you can listen to a teaser below.
Chase & Status – ‘Lost & Found ft. Louis M^ttrs’
British duo Chase & Status are absolutely adored over in the UK; in 2011, they were the second highest selling artists behind Coldplay. Their European chart success is no surprise – after all, their garage-house sound is so distinctly British. The pair’s new single ‘Lost & Not Found’ falls on the more mellow end of the electro spectrum, powered by drum and bass beats reminiscent of the ‘90s rave era and the soulful vocals of Lous M^ttrs. Evident from the crowd’s reaction during Chase & Status’ massive secret set at Glastonbury, this one is bound to follow in the footsteps of their previous hits.
Bliss n Eso – ‘Life’s Midnight’
‘Life’s Midnight’ is the next single from Bliss N Eso’s brand new album Circus In The Sky. One of the best things about this trio is the fact they write meaningful tracks and aren’t afraid to share their thoughts with the world. ‘Life’s Midnight’ is another example of this, it’s about Eso meeting his idol Ozone from Breakdance when he was 5 years old in the US and ‘dreams coming true’, backed up with awesome production and a soaring chorus. If you haven’t heard the record, you need to now!
Young Husband – ‘Dromes’
Taken from the band’s self-titled LP, which is set to be released in September, the track features just the right amount of melancholia. With 90s, droney vocals and a killer guitarline, the British band’s new release is set to garner as much acclaim as their debut EP Crystal if the quality of its lead taste is anything to go by.
Iowa – ‘Always The Devil’
This Melbourne trio’s 2012 debut album, Never Saw It Coming, clearly showed them worshipping at the altar of vintage alt-rock bands like Pearl Jam, Guided By Voices, and especially Dinosaur Jr. The fuzzed out guitars and gnarly vocals of Dylan Stewart on this, Iowa’s latest single, takes the ‘if ain’t broke’ approach, but that’s no bad thing; this three-piece almost singlehandedly win the case for a 90s alt-rock revival in the course of four minutes.
The Reversals – ‘Michelle’
Opening with a tear-stained violin, this slice of moody folk-rock from the Brisbane five-piece demonstrates a love for the rustic and robust. Even their frontman has the old world name of Nathaniel Hubbard, delivering poetic lines like “we’d smoke cigarettes/try to bock out the violence” with a fey, lilting touch. Working as a sound engineer for the likes of Bernard Fanning and Pete Murray must have rubbed off, this is a delicate, defining musical tale.
