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.
Alpine – Yuck (Ivy League)
Yuck is Alpine’s follow-up to their acclaimed debut album, A Is For Alpine, which peaked at #1 on iTunes and #11 on the ARIA album Charts. With such accolades heaped on a debut release, it would be easy for the band to fall into the trap of merely retracing their steps for the sophomore effort and hoping lightning strikes twice.
But Alpine are too smart for that. They’ve decided to generate their own spark by crafting a slick, confident, and mature follow-up to their first album, which bears all the hallmarks of a band coming into full command of their powers, which were honed with slots supporting the likes of Grouplove and Empire of the Sun, as well as a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
Having spent the last three years “playing live to a growing worldwide fan base, staring out of tour van windows, [and enduring] long-haul flights, saving up, moving in, breaking up, awkward dates, and tipsy late nights in different parts of the world”, Yuck is a deftly crafted ode to the wonder of your early 20s and its worth more than one listen.
Ta-Ku – Songs To Make Up To (Future Classic)
Perth originated, now international producer extraordinary Ta-Ku tomorrow drops his latest release titled Songs To Make Up To via Future Classic. And it’s what you’d except from this progressive though retrospective beatmaker.
Like label mates Touch Sensitive, Seekae, and Chet Faker, Ta-Ku has the ability to craft silky smooth soundscapes that tread the line of both ‘cool’ niche and commercial appeal.
Not being afraid to get conceptual with his releases (see projects: 50 Days For Dilla and 25 Nights For Nujabes) Songs To Make Up To is Ta-Ku’s follow on from his popular 2013 release Songs To Break Up To, and it’s equally as heartbreaking.
The shiny lounge-hip hop-jazz hybrid seven track release is just the latest instalment in this producer’s stellar discography. It’s ‘songs to Fall in love with Ta-ku to’.
Saskwatch – Sorry I Let It Come Between Us (Remote Control)
Melbourne soul outfit Saskwatch return with a departure in sound (and band members) in Sorry I let It Come Between Us, their third album out June 12.
Produced by Scott McMicken and Nathan Sabatino of Dr Dog fame in Philadelphia, Sorry I Let It Come Between Us is a diverse collection of tunes that retains some of Saskwatch’s signature soul styling, but also manages to introduce a grittier, more considered and laid back approach than previous releases.
The first single off the record, and album opener, ‘I’ll Be Fine’ is an earworming party-starter, and testament to the band’s evolution from talented local soul band into a truly individual and globally appealing pop group. The follow up, ‘Down The Stairs’, sees vocalist extraordinaire Nkechi Anele take a softer approach while the band, who are more cohesive than ever, jangle on steadily in an almost Go Betweens-like fashion.
There’s no denying the influence of McMicken and Sabatino’s production style on tracks like the fuzzy and catchy ‘In Your Arms’, the somber ‘Everybody’s Giving Up’ and the crashing crescendo of ‘Spitting Image’.
The higher energy numbers on this album shine however there simply may not be enough of them to satisfy fans of their earlier works, who may find themselves wanting more of the Saskwatch of old’s up-tempo dance tracks. But what Sorry I Let It Come Between Us lacks in party bangers is more than made up for by their new direction’s depth, maturity, and cohesiveness. (Nige Moyes)
Redspencer – Redspencer (Deaf Ambitions)
It’s pretty safe to say Melbourne is Australia’s current home of jangly garage pop. From old school legends like Eddy Current, to current heroes like The Ocean Party and Dick Diver, hooky guitar driven pop is far from dead.
One of the latest releases to grab our attention has been the four track self-titled EP from Melbourne via Glen Innes trio Redspencer. Recorded and produced by Dave Turner at Sound Park Studios and mastered by local garage legend Mikey Young, Redspencer is the perfect space where surf, garage, pop and indie rock collide.
Out now via local label Deaf Ambitions, you can strew/ buy the entire EP from the the Deaf Ambitions Bandcamp page now, blissful in its simplicity we reckon you should check it out.
The Durries – We Build Schools (Bedlam Records)
If these guys, have crossed your radar lately it could have been because they’re potentially one of the cheekiest new ‘concept’ or ‘parody’ (whatever you prefer) bands coming out of Australia.
The Durries, and if you haven’t figured it out yet, yes, all of their songs are about cigarettes.
What’s more, they’re a bonafide supergroup, comprised of eight members from Boss Moxi, Twin Haus, and Baskervillain. The Durries love durries, plain and simple and they don’t discriminate – just look at their catalog.
Their ever-expanding discography of tracks includes instant classics like ‘Winfield Blue’, ‘Port Royal’, and first single ‘Marlborough Gold’, which the band assures all have that same trademark quality as the darts they’re named after.
Recently however, they got themselves in a little bit of trouble for being ‘too commercial‘ to get on triple j unearthed, which did nothing but cement their reputation of being the next ‘band you have to know’. Straight up good fun, with a cheeky ironic twist – this release is exactly what you’d expect and that’s why we love it.
Methyl Ethel – Oh Inhumane Spectacle (Remote Control)
It’s no secret that Perth is overflowing with incredible musical talent, and one of the most exciting acts bubbling in the scene right now is atmospheric rockers, Methyl Ethel, who’ve just dropped their debut long-player.
First up, we’ll let y’all know that this isn’t necessarily the most accessible of records. It’s daring, exploring the realms of brooding dream-pop, sparkling ambience with hints of shoegaze and faint jazz elements, Jake Webb’s vocals drawing comparison to Bradford Cox, leading to the notion that Methyl Ethel could be Deerhunter’s weirder, but far more intriguing foreign cousin.
Songs you need to keep a strong ear out for include the woozy shoegaze effort, ‘Shadowboxing’, the rumbling ‘Obscura’ and the transporting ‘Artificial Lamb’.
Both ‘Rogues’ and ‘Depth Perception’ are entirely encompassing, providing a chilly underwater experience, whilst through the inclusion of nature soundtracking, ‘Unbalancing Act’ pulls listeners out of the murky sonic lake to an almost tribal dance by the shore.
Then there’s ‘Twilight Driving’. Charged by the uplifting brass, this track is certainly one of the sunniest moments on the album, the three-piece temporarily ditching their gloomy aesthetic for a cruising, pop anthem.
Oh Inhumane Spectacle keeps listeners engaged for its entirety, each of the 12 tracks providing something different. A brilliant debut from a very promising Aussie act, we can’t wait to catch the captivating sounds of this record in the flesh.
