An impressive selection of new tunes plucked for the privilege of your eardrums this week. Leading the sonic smorgasbord for this new week is Perth’s Rainy Day Women, making the most of their indie pop sensibilities and harmonious voices. Following close behind with their own aural dishes are local connoisseurs like Bitch Prefect, Valar, Sticky Fingers, The Orbweavers, Nic Cassey, and the Oyster Murders. While new UK ruffians The Strypes add a delicious rock aperitif. Enjoy and remember to serve with maximum volume.
Rainy Day Women – ‘Ain’t It Time?’
With lazy 60s pop-style vocal harmonies and a catchy guitar line, it’s no surprise the Freemantle five-piece are climbing the ranks of Aussie music. Lead singer Dylan Ollivierre’s gente and twee vocals steal the show while the backing vocal harmonies serve as the perfect compliment to the singer’s charming as hell voice.
Bitch Prefect – ‘Drifting’
The droney Melbourne/Adelaide band are back and it seems their Aussie accents have gotten even more pronounced! Pretence aside, we’re really digging this new tune from the trio who continue to surprise us with their simple guitar parts and chant-like vocals. A stellar winter tune that’s sure to get a lot of play on community radio.
Valar – ‘Baby I Like the Feeling’
Taken from the third EP from the Sydney band, this tune features backing vocals from what sound like a choir of little girls. This, intertwined with sad lead vocals and distorted synthy accompaniment, makes for a thoroughly unique sound that’s hard to pinpoint but easy to love.
The Orbweavers – ‘Match Factory’
A delicate, reflective paean to the changing suburbs of Melbourne that needs little more than the lapping of guitar tremolo and Marita Dyson’s pallid, whispering vocals to deliver with full gravitas. Oh, that and a majestic trumpet solo. For anyone who’s seen the landscape they grow up slowly undergone an upheaval into something unfamiliar, this tune’s bittersweet tones will ring with striking clarity. A meaningfully beautiful yet economic tune.
Nic Cassey – ‘Madness’
Sydney folk singer Nic Cassey is celebrating the release of his debut album ‘Where are you going I just collected some pellets’ by giving away a double A-side that includes this stunning track ‘Madness’. Nic’s voice is haunting but comforting, his lyrics are heartbreaking but beautiful, and his music is hypnotic thanks to the accompanying continuous piano and subtle percussion which ties the song together beautifully with heart and soul.
Sticky Fingers – ‘Freddy Crabs’
It’s really exciting for Australia to have a great dub/reggae/rock band if you can even pigeon hole their genre… Having just got back from touring overseas Sticky Fingers have landed with the goods and another killer track and video to accompany it, cast away on a desert island, the band are left to fend for themselves against the crab-wielding figure in red, Freddy Crabs maybe? With chilled dub beats, the smooth vocals of Diz Frost and the biggest 80s guitar solo there is simply no reason to not dig this tune.
The Strypes – ‘What A Shame’
They might only be between the ages of 15 and 17, but this young Irish four-piece have been attracting some serious attention with their ‘60s British Invasion style of rock. Already getting approved by the likes of Dave Grohl, Elton John and Miles Kane, these teenagers are showing early symptoms of an Arctic Monkeys-style rise to stardom. Comparisons and hype aside, The Strypes are astonishingly convincing. Check out ‘What A Shame’, a track off their forthcoming debut album, and whimper in their unfair teen talents.
The Oyster Murders – ‘Disaster Flower Bloom’
From their name to their mix of influences, this Brisbane foursome have always confounded stereotypes and expectations, and the first cut from their new EP sees them continuing in that tradition. Shifting towards a darker, atmospheric tone from their eclectic debut album Winter Of The Electric Sun, ‘Disaster Flower Bloom’ evokes his title in its gently blotting textures and brooding corners that simmer rather than storm. An intriguing taster for next month’s Mourning Birds EP.
