Best Coast – ‘I Don’t Know How’
This track from Californian darlings Best Coast is a little different to what we expected. Siting influence from old school country icons such as Patsy Cline, ‘I Don’t Know How’ is an interesting blend of surf and soul. The track is from the upcoming “mini-album” Fade Away – set for release on October 22.
The Cairos – ‘Obsession’
Obsession is the first single from the lads’ album set for release early 2014. It has jangly guitars, a bass that doesn’t ‘drop’ and a kit that wasn’t downloaded from the internet, it’s the classic rock of the current time. Obsession is at all a representation of what we can expect of the album, we have a lot to look forward to for when it finally drops. The Cairos will be touring Obsession and some new material across the nation late October and into November.
Made In Japan – ‘History’
Sydney-based indie troupe Made In Japan are set to launch their sophomore album, Tame All Those Thoughts, and ahead of its release they’ve dropped the first single from the record, ‘History’. A slickly polished slice of indie pop, the densely layered track unfolds into a dreamy atmosphere with echoing chimes of reverb guitars and lead singer James Cooney’s superb vocals. Unsurprisingly, Made In Japan’s infectious sound has caught the UK by storm, having recently played at the enormous Great Escape festival and playing in front of sold out crowds in London. However, if the British think they can adopt these rising Sydney-siders they’re going to have a fight on their hands.
The Fratellis – ‘Seven Nights Seven Days’
After a five-year hiatus, The Fratellis are back and sounding exactly like you’d expect. The first single from their upcoming album is ‘Seven Nights Seven Days’, a poppy, pacy number led by rock’n’roll piano and a playful vocal melody. Their new record We Need The Medicine is out on October 11th in Australia.
Little May – ‘Hide’
Sydney-siders, Little May, come with a delicately arranged track, blending a dark and sometimes gritty synthesised backdrop, backed by a well placed rhythmic movement, atop of a softly spoken story in good folkish fashion. The all-girl trio definitely deliver and craft something that is likely to catch the attention of fellow folk lovers. In a period where the genre is often making appearances in the pop charts, ‘Hide’ is something that sounds familiar but at the same time separates itself from the likes of ever-popular acts like Angus and Julia Stone and Mumford and Sons. Expect the debut EP from Little May in late 2013.
Lowlakes – ‘Newborn’
Since their inception this Melbourne four-piece have cemented themselves as melancholic atmosphere makers with a haunting bent. ‘Newborn’ continues the trend with a beguiling and twisting song that favours the dark and slightly disturbing. Perhaps it’s the chimes or even the oscillation of Tom Snowdown’s vocals, which reverberate like an ocean sea creature. Taken from their 2014 forthcoming debut, Iceberg Nerves, Lowlakes have a mandate to unsettle and mesmerize. Come February they might just do that.
Thumpers – ‘Sound Of Screams’
Indie synth-pop is all the rage, if you haven’t heard. In this regard the Sub Pop signed British duo Thumpers carry elements that have been most recently successfully utilized by the likes of Chvrches, Two Door Cinema Club and Friendly Fires. What’s the difference between these acts and Thumpers? Crucially the duo does have something that sets them apart from the rest, albeit only something small. Ironically that small difference on ‘Sound Of Screams’ is the steroid enhanced drums. Apart from that the synths and infectiously light vocals should see Thumpers as one of the next buzzed about acts.
Pete Cornelius – ‘Drinking The Blues’
‘Drinking The Blues’ is the album opener from Tasmanian bluesman Pete Cornelius’ seventh record. The verses feature a slow and sleazy blues jam, and the choruses are laced with a fat, relaxed brass arrangement. Featuring 6 originals and a handful of covers, Groundswell comes out tomorrow.
