Album Reviews
EP Review: Sydney duo Salarymen’s debut EP ‘Scene Change’ is an effervescent ray of sparkling sunshine, plus tour news.
There is a bright ray of sunshine searing through all the tracks in Salarymen‘s incandescent debut ‘Scene Change’, even when at their most melancholic. There is an indelible sixties flavour: a sort of indie folk thread with suede jackets, knee high boots, mini skirts and fringes: a bright lollipop bounce that blasts forward at full …
Album Review: Debasser – The Invitations Are Real, The Party Is Not – Album Review/Exclusive Interview/Guest Mix
Drawing on inspiration and experience from a wide range of scenes including UK Bass, Breaks, Jungle, Electro, Garage, and more, Debasser follows up singles ‘Separation Anxiety’ and ‘Bad Behaviour’ with his second long-player ‘The Invitations are Real, The Party is Not’ via his WIDE Records label. Active throughout the early 000’s on labels such as …
Album review: Tijuana Cartel give a delectable dose of hazily psychedelic escapism on new album ‘Acid Pony’ – out this Friday
Australian electro-dance group Tijuana Cartel are preparing for the release of their highly-anticipated new album ‘Acid Pony’ this Friday, 4 June. The captivating record comprises a perfectly eclectic assemblage of seven tracks, produced by Gold Coast band members Carey O’Sullivan and Paul George. Featuring a myriad of mind-altering musical elements ‘Acid Pony’ defines the group’s ability …
Album Review: Steve Kilbey & the Winged Heels soar into another celestial sphere with double album ‘The Hall of Counterfeits’, plus tour news
It is difficult to comprehend that in the space of a little over twelve months, Steve Kilbey has released three monumental albums under various guises (read my reviews of ‘Chryse Planitia‘ with Gareth Koch, ‘Jupiter 13‘ with Martin Kennedy, ‘Eleven Women‘ as a solo effort). And now Kilbey gifts us the monumental double album ‘The …
Album review: José Mauro – ‘A Viagem Das Horas’: another unearthed Brazilian gem from Far Out Recordings
LOST albums create a mystique stoked by rumour, fandom and hype, waiting for the moment to surface and often for the bubble of expectation to burst. But some records emerge from the past almost unannounced, previously known to the very few and for the rest of us waiting to be found before we knew that …
Album review: Portico Quartet – ‘Terrain’: a truly reflective journey
PORTICO QUARTET have always been a vibe. Since their formation, in my opinion they’re one of the few instrumental jazz-psyechedelic-electronic bands to live up to that musical blend, and furthermore, they’ve always been able to tell a story. Their latest album, Terrain, actually exceeded all my expectations in that sense, delivering a much more emotionally …
Album Review: Sturt Avenue’s debut album ‘How Do You Think It Should Be?’ delivers a special kind of indie-folk from its homegrown heart
South Australian band Sturt Avenue are set to release their debut album ‘How Do You Think It Should Be?’ next Friday, 4 June. Having already released 4 of the tracks as singles, the complete album has been long-anticipated. Based in Adelaide, the folk music collective is led by SCALA award-winning singer/songwriter Bryn Soden and supported by a …
Premiere: Ipswich instrumental magicians Coalfalls provide us with an exclusive listen to their new EP ‘Pieces’: a shimmering sonic temple
Ipswich band Coalfalls achieve something remarkable for a band that plays instrumentals: they create the most evocative and lush soundscapes that speak volumes without words. We introduced the band last year with their double singles Coalfalls and Stephenson Street evoking a layered shoegaze/dream pop vibe. There is an abstract expressionism in their pieces that sparkles …
Album Review: Twenty One Pilots – ‘Scaled and Icy’: eternally evolving and enigmatic
Eclectic alt-rock duo Twenty One Pilots have gone fully out of the box with their ambitious new album Scaled and Icy. Released Friday 21st May via Fueled by Ramen, their sixth offering sees them head in lighter directions than predecessors Vessel, Blurryface and Trench whilst still remaining fully cemented into their conceptual universe. Instantly reminiscent …
Album Review: Allday’s ‘Drinking With My Smoking Friends’ is an atmospheric masterclass in dreamy, melancholic indie pop
Adelaide born but now Melbourne resident Allday (the moniker of Tom Gaynor) magnificent album ‘Drinking With My Smoking Friends’ has been anticipated by a series of stunning singles that have indicated the presence of a special artist. Known more for rap, this album is a new turn – melodic dream pop that is sparkling. Opening track ‘Void’ is …