Mixtape #84 starts hard and fast with the new oddly titled track ‘Ash Wednesday Boudoir Party’ from Gay Paris, before easing into a track from the recently released Youth Lagoon album, followed by a new little songs from She & Him, local lad Adam Eaton, Citizen Kay, Owl Eyes, The Raffaellas and Wildcat General Strike.
Gay Paris – Ash Wednesday Boudoir Party
Taken from their soon to be released album “The Last Good Party”, ‘Ash Wednesday Boudoir Party’ is the newest taste of Gay Paris’s bluesy rock. Take a dose of intense hoarse vocals, a dash of shredding guitars, add some heavy drum beats, stir until smooth and you get this wow track with some very questionable morals. Strange title aside, the music in this track is definitely worth a listen, even if sarcastic yelling isn’t your forte. Catch Gay Paris on the road over the next three months.
Youth Lagoon – Mute
Mute’ is the second glimpse of Youth Lagoon’s upcoming sophomore album, Wondrous Bughouse. This time around, Trevor Powers has given his indie rock monicker slight alterations on the production front, adding in new elements elements like cymbal-pounding drums, and an extended electric guitar riff that builds towards the track’s cathartic climax. The ornate, poignant fragility of Powers’ aural world is still in tact, as is the ambiguity of the overall tone. On the surface, ‘Mute’ feels infectious and uplifting; but when you notice the broken, almost manic keyboard line lingering in the background and the subtle shake in Powers’ innocent vocals, you begin to notice something more dangerous lurking below. Powers sings of ‘living in a 3D world’ in the opening line and that’s exactly the feeling of listening to this multi-dimensional track. If this is any indication of what to expect from Wondrous Bughouse, it might grow into one of the best album of the year.
She & Him – Never Wanted Your Love
Rife with adorably expected ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ that are found in most everything Ms. Deschanel touches, this teaser track from the duo’s upcoming album Volume 3 stays much in the vein as their previous work. Uber retro, a bit too twee, but altogether charming. In an effort to ensure the new album isn’t more of the same. New instruments are being toyed with, namely a fiddly violin and bigger drum sound. If you’re already a fan of the vintage production and sweetly drawling vocals, this is sure to get you going
Adam Eaton – Wait Out
Be warned: you will fall in love with Adam Eaton. It wont matter who you are or what your jam is. A rockier version of Angus Stone’s whispery, gentle vocals is what you’ll find on the recordings from this Melbourne local. ‘Wait Out’ is the first single from his upcoming debut Catastrophes. The mustachod crooner will no doubt be one of the bi hits of 2013.
Citizen Kay – Yes!
Citizen Kay has a seriously catchy tune in ‘Yes!’. The beat has a great bounce to it and the rhymes are clever and snappy. The Canberra rapper, by way of Ghana, has a really strong and quick style of rap. His sound is similar to Lupe Fiasco. He is a self-taught rapper and beat-maker, and his skill is very evident. This is the type of song you’ve gotta say yes to.
Owl Eyes – Closure
The first single from Nightswim isn’t the banger that ‘Crystallised’ was, which lead us to believe that her debut album might be more clubby than we had originally expected. But ‘Closure’ is just what we expect from Melbourne’s Brooke Addamo. A little bit 80s, there are synths a plenty here as Addamo’s voice echoes throughout a dream pop atmosphere. Think Gypsy & Cat’s debut album, Gilgamesh, but with less overt pop tendencies.
The Raffaellas – Words
You’re the one I want” croons the singer on the Melbourne four-piece’s latest single. The vocals are raw but undeniably sweet. The guitars that envelop it are soft yet punchy, while the drums ensure the song sticks to it’s free flowing modest pace. An ear worm for sure, yet not one that’s likely to force itself upon you, ‘Words’ is a solid easy listening indie rock track.
Wildcat General Strike – High School Diploma
The brand new single ‘High School Diploma’ is the first offering Wildcat General Strike’s forthcoming EP due for release in April. Everything about this track has a super early 90’s vibe including excellent music video, that will take you back to your childhood. It’s one of tracks that come out every so often that helps you escape everyday boring life, it’s filled with killer guitar riffs and a catchy chorus, that you just need to sing along to.
