Mixtape #137 has arrived with a stellar feature track in the form of Jake Bugg’s new single which sees the teen-folkster take a whole new direction. Following on we’ve got a new jam from Kid Mac, a rockin’ tune from The Bennies, a hyper-local newie from Crayon Fields frontman Geoffrey O’Connor, another punky number from Bendigo’s much hyped APES, and more!
Jake Bugg – What Doesn’t Kill You
The Prodigal son has gone electric! Cue even more Bob Dylan likenesses. Bugg’s new single is a punky, guitar-heavy tune that sees the 19-year-old waxing lyrics in a big way. Despite the formulaic musicality of the song, the rhythm of Bugg’s vocal delivery is almost hip-hop-like. Listen to the tune, because this teenager is doing in the course of a year what it took some musical icons decades to.
Kid Mac – ‘Bustin’ Down The Door’ (Ft. Sam Perry)
With a refreshing sound, Kid Mac has burst onto the Australian music scene blending a mixture of hip hop and dance music. The lead single ‘Bustin’ Down The Door’ which features Sam Perry is from Kid Mac’s forthcoming album Head Noise due for an October release. ‘Bustin Down The Door’ crosses many genres but does it well, with indie vocals and reggae beats that builds into a drum n bass chorus, Kid Mac is a force to be reckoned with.
The Bennies – ‘Anywhere You Want To Go’
This is the kind of song you’d hear in the band room of a pub, accompanied by a lot of drunk people busting moves and screaming at the top of their lungs – and there’s nothing better than that. Blending the simple guitars of Blink-182 with the charm of Reel Big Fish, Melbourne ska punk stars The Bennies absolutely own this track. When those brass instruments kick in it adds a new depth to the track; you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and can’t help but groove along. Citing influences as “parties and pingaz”, the band’s humour and techniques are on full display – and there’s no doubt as to why these guys were selected to play Soundwave ’14. Be sure to catch their new record Rainbows In Space when it lands in November – it’s going to be killer.
Geoffery O’Connor – ‘Jacqueline’
Part-time Crayon Fields frontman, part-time solo artist Geoffrey O’Connor is currently polishing off on his second solo album and has treated us to his latest cut of shamelessly ‘80s-flecked electropop. ‘Jacqueline’ sees the suave synth wizard casting his spell over an addictive dance anthem jammed with glittery disco beats, pulsating booms of drums and, of course, silky-smooth vocals which give yet another addictive floor-filling chorus. In his own words, it’s “glammy”. O’Connor’s sophomore record is due out in 2014, and he’s also working on a long-awaited Crayon Fields album.
Steve Mason – ‘Fire’
‘Fire!’ is the latest single to be released from Steve Mason’s sophomore solo album, Monkey Minds In The Devil’s Time, released back in March this year. It’s built on a backdrop of a psych, hip hop and jazz-infused instrumentals – think meaty bass, trip-hop beats and a bit of brass – with Mason’s hushed vocals teetering above the noise. Soulful, other-timely and carrying a political message, consider this to be your dosage of refined cultural listening for the week.
Jordie Lane – ‘Here She Comes’
One of Australia’s favourite troubadours has returned from a brief yet manic migration in North America, with a minor arsenal of folk and blues tracks in his bag to charm any listener’s hearts. Here She Comes is the front running single from Lane’s upcoming EP release Not Built To Last. The track sublimely spins as what one could describe as contemporary country love ballad with that all too familiar lone star state sound. Lane is in his typical observational prose as he crows in contradictory confession “here she comes for me, like a knife in the dark, here she comes for me like the flowers in spring”. The combination of Lane’s fretting lyrics and buoyant sound sets a high standard for the remainder of Not Built To Last.
Blonde On Blonde – ‘Lucid’
‘Lucid’ is the latest release from the self-proclaimed “slut rockers” from Brisbane, Blonde On Blonde. The track is a murky culmination of indie rock laced with a low-fi undertone that is consistently chased by surging riffs that sprawl into a fuzzy feel good jam that’ll leave you mashing the repeat button. ‘Lucid’ couldn’t be a more fitting title for the four-pieces latest release as it resonates perfectly to that Sunny Coasts sound. Kick start your day with this uplifting three and half minutes of sonic optimism and sheer energy.
Apes – ‘Napalm’
Explosive and full of attitude, Melbourne rockers APES don’t disappoint with their latest track, ‘Napalm’. Kicking off with a dynamic riff, the track progresses into an exciting indie punk exhibition that could be the result of a threesome between The Hives, Wax Witches and Violent Soho. The band shares a fine talent of drawling like Descendents frontman Milo Aukerman – the singing style of “I won’t ever let it go” radiates punk at its finest. This is catchy as all hell; it will probably stick to some part of your brain for a while. If this track and their previous hit ‘Helluva Time’ are a sign of things to come
