Holla! It's been a while with regards to my music posts, my bad. Working 29023 hours a week, being creative-on-demand and trying to avoid digital screens of all forms in my time off takes it outta me, but nevertheless, my head is always fizzing with new music, ideas and post content - my blog is the last to get the memo. Australia is still keeping me enlightened and fulfilled, so I shall do my best to reflect (a snippet of) my currently-maintained focus, learning and inspiration through my blog when I can.
Anyway, I digress. So this lot transpire from Soundcloud, Youtube discoveries, online media posts and friend references. I also went to Field Day festival on NY day in Sydney's Domain, and so had to chuck a few favourites in. Here goes: an optimistic, dynamic, stimulating mix of hip hop, indie/alternative, dance, electronic and soul.
^Christ this one's good. Like REAL good. Discovered it following a brief 'Drake 2015' search on Youtube at work and damn, it's my new head bouncing/walking the city vibe. Slow-build, sexy, mysterious, repeatable. 8/10
^ I freakin' love Hozier right now! This is my recent attachment on play during the day and night throughout sleepy time. His sound is original, refreshing, curious, lyrically interesting and soulful- all wrapped up in a universal, easy-listening pop jacket.
^ With lyrics like 'Girl you so sexy, everyone should see you in the open, baby open up for me...' you know what's about to go down. A for effort. I love PartyND. His newest material has a clear development- a more specialist maturation- from his first self-titled album. It's less commercial and more personal I'd say, with a slower pace and fewer dance tracks. OOH also listen to 'Options' on that above link! He's probably one of the artists I listen consistently to and never tire of. This track samples Disclosure's Latch and works SO damn well. When the drop happens...CORR. You think it's just a 'gettin' down' song and then...so much energy to fill a (better to be darkened, busy) room.
^ I gave a Milky a Chance and it was worth it. Saw them play live at Field Day and they were just as uplifting and energetic in quality live as they are in recording. The oversized plastic balls bouncing around the crowd were a metaphor for the crowd itself! #OnesToWatch in 2015 for sure. You'll probably recognise 'Down By River,' one of the German folk's band's most popular tracks on their album 'Sadnecessary.' Hop-skip-happy, weird and wonderful!
^ Chet Faker should be on everyone's hit list right now- he can do no wrong. He has that easy-going, chill out vibe, merging electronica, dance and Hozier's soul-blues lyrical mood. It ticks many boxes at once tbh. Check out his Flume remixes (e.g. 'Drop the Game'). The one above is a favourite; '1998.' Mostly every track will make you move for sure. ENJOY THIS LINK and thank me later: Chet on Souncloud
^I adore this one because it's so punctual, confident and wants to be heard. Incredible use of Lauryn Hill and incredibly punchy beat. As always an enjoyable narrative, with Drake's added humour, but that wasn't the selling point for me. It's a mood-lifter. I like the synthetic sounds in R n B/hip hop music these days. Ideal marriage.
^ This one's the sexiest of them all, primarily due to the source's theme, but you can't knock The Weeknd for producing his consistently loaded, crescendo'ing, echoing, modern, wet hip hop. This one and 'Often' are pretty irresistible... Indulge and feel the arm hair's prop.
^ I can't empathetically and respectfully praise this track enough. It is one that resonates with me deeply and has the ability to instantly transform my mood and probe pure reflection. I can't stop listening. Objectively it's powerful yet subtle, distinct yet pop and again, that electronic contemporary hip hop genre, founded on OVO. The prominent hissy bass is euphoric and the melody is addictive, whilst the vocal qualities bring intense, sexual appeal to this song throughout. Meaningful, with an approachable, commercialised execution. This went to one of my 'most played' in just a week. It's so eery yet so applicable to several lifestyle occasions.
Newcomers Majid Jordan have an EP that in general, is a grower, but this track, followed by 'Her' were instant wins with me. Watch out for the Canadian duo. They don't shout about themselves in the media as they grow off of OVO's more resilient, silent presence, but they are sturdy players in the future of the label.
^ Awesome freestyle version over Drake's 'Poundcake.' Gambino's vocal traits can't be matched- he has a unique, warm and conversational style- 'so nerdy but the flow wordy.' I like the less arranged, organic feel of this version, but still Drake's will always be dear to my heart. This track's good for down-time and is less show-off/WOAH than the original with JayZ's verse. I like the confusing, yet enjoyable rhythmic change in the middle and his ability to control it and bring it back. He reminds you he's just flowin.' Good jaaaaaab CB.
^This tune. Jheeeezzz. Drake feat Elijah. What a loaded, feisty build-up and drop.
^ Self-explanatory.
^ Like Party? Like Tory Lanez. NEW ARTIST ALERT. This track has shed loads of bass that twangs and vibrates, it's perfect. Beats, some rapper lyrics and that ranging, echoing, auto tune vocal style. Slick.
^Loud, catchy, percussion-filled niceness. Bombay- forever awesome. They have the talent to build a brilliantly refreshing album from nothing after each break and make me smile out of nowhere. What more do you want from music eh? This track has that fantastically, scratchy, optimistically aggressive and hair-raising guitar riff before the chorus. THE BEST BIT. Again they channel their energy into high-pitched vocals and we're off! This track takes me right up instantly and to wanna run..anywhere, everywhere really FAST. Eenerrrgyy burrrst!
^ Takes me back to my pure indie days where I was all about the band. Fast, nip-tucked instrumental talent. This track resembles The Maccabees versus The Horrors.
^ To chill. The Underachievers.
^ Finally, but never thought any less of, SBTRKT, whom never fail to please.
