Over the last few months Australian trio daste. have been busy working on their debut album “dusk/dawn”
The first single off of it is titled ‘either way’ and it’s a chilled, indie-pop cut you shouldn’t miss.
It’s not just an utterly pleasant song, but has also a very positive message behind.
As the trio explain: “Late 2019 we were playing The Lansdowne for EMC and after our set we met Maina Doe backstage who insisted we link up next time we were in town. Come January, we were in Sydney again, supporting our friends Midnight Pool Party, and stayed for the weekend to do some writing. We met up with Maina on a cosy Sunday afternoon and started working on the track that would become ‘either way’.
We started with some chords that felt like they were interchanging between light and darkness, and the lyrics and message of the song were able to flow from that. ‘either way’ represents the constant struggle that we all have within ourselves about the ups and downs of life. It’s also about recognising those troubles and taking them in your stride, because even though it feels like everything might not be going the way you expected or maybe the worst day you’ve had in a while, the sun will rise either way. At the end of the day it’s up to you on how you want to experience those kinds of days and you can choose to learn from them or let them swallow you whole.”.
Rising Australian artist LOVER has just released his genre-bending EP, ‘It’s A Wild World’.
A body of work he’s been working on since late 2019, it reflects the time in LOVER’s life, as well as in the world around us.
To coincide with the release, LOVER has kindly put together a “Headrush” themed playlist for us. Listen below.
“Headrush” – Like a rush of blood
Dijon – CRYBABY :*(
Damn. I really wish I wrote this song. The video is beautiful too – one of my favourite songs of ALL TIME.
Jean Dawson – BRUISEBOY
My parents had me when they were young, so I remember my Dad mainly listening to early 90’s music – The Smashing Pumpkins, Third Eye Blind etc. This has the perfect combo of the influence of this generation of music w a modern twist.
Porches – PFB
I love short songs. Looking around, it is all “Pretty Fucking Bad” too. Thank you Porches and thank you Golden Vessel for showing me this song.
daste. – Telephone (What’s Your Name?)
These guys are my mates from Australia, who I met from being a fan of their music and now we’re indie label mates! They have a lot of versatility and all three of them are great songwriters. I’m a big fan of this track from their latest EP ‘Same As It Ever Was’.
Ryan Beatty – Evergreen
Dreaming Of David, the second album by RyanBeatty at the start of this year is the most slept on record. I cannot believe that after his HIT ‘Sugar’ with Brockhampton it doesn’t have as many streams as his older work. The songwriting is strong, his voice is something else and the production on this album, and particularly Evergreen, is fresh and inventive. Ryan, if you’re out there, I’m sorry they’re sleeping on this !!!
Phoebe Bridgers – Garden Song Phoebe Bridgers is a phenomenon. Her lyricism across her catalogue is inspiring. Love the production on this track particular track, definitely was a big influence for the ending of my own track ‘Last Puzzle Piece’. I’ve read that down-tuned sounding voice in the chorus is actually her tour managers real voice haha.
Jon Brion – Phone Call – Score
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind is one of my favourite movies. The soundtrack is immaculate too, and once I learned more about JonBrion I realised he scored multiple of my favourite 90’s / early 00’s movies as well as the latest MacMiller records (RIP). This track is a short lofi dream, about 20 years ahead of its time!
Oneohtrix Point Never, (Sandy) Alex G – Babylon
This song is what happens when you get a versatile producer in the room with a legendary songwriter. It transcends your usual soft acoustic track with the electronic elements, strings and the vocal layering. I really want to see (Sandy) Alex G live with a band someday and cry quietly in the back corner.
Kllo – Insomnia
Really tight, lush production paired with the singer Chloe’s glass vocals. I love them and they’re from Melbourne – basically my backyard! (if my backyard was a 10 and a half-hour drive away).
18YOMAN – Fireflies
Another Aussie. When I first heard this song on Triple J Unearthed I was like, fuck, ok, do I still release my EP? lol. It’s sooo good and the songwriting / production (which I believe he did himself) raised the bar for all Australian acts releasing in 2020 .. in my opinion!
Dijon – Rock n Roll
Had to put two Dijon songs in, I’m sorry! He’s too good. This is from his new project, the breakdown at the end takes me somewhere else.
Roland Faunte – Happy Life
One of the only songs I legit cry to. Roland Faunte’s story over the whole ‘Sewing Kit’ project is cohesive, honest, raw, poetic. It has a classic sound that I think is above ageing All the lyrics are perfect but I lose it at:
“Give me heartache if that means a reason That I would continue; Please, I need them Because you mattered, when nothing mattered If I need something let me have her”
Radiohead – True Love Waits
I tried to keep this playlist as new as I could, but I couldn’t resist putting a Radiohead song in there. They’re probably my favourite band and different eras of their music has been in consistent rotation since day dot. This track was actually written in the mid-90’s, and from the live versions from that time that I’ve watched it was originally kind of uptempo and pop leaning like “High and Dry”. It didn’t get released until 2016, in a very different form. Imagine sitting and reworking a song for TWENTY years lmao. It’s that good.
‘It’s A Wild World’ is available everywhere now via Mammal Sounds Records.
Sounds like: Golden Vessel, daste., Emerson Leif, Akurei, JVLY, CLN, George Gretton, Luna Pines
Introducing the new project by Pietro Filippone – aka uomo.
His latest release, ‘All I Hear’, is the first song that Filippone has written by himself for the project. A decent bit of autotune in there, the softer house elements give the song a gorgeously gentle uplift.
Sounds like: Henry Green, Roosevelt, Goldroom, Hayden James, Elderbrook
Bristol-based quartet Tungz combines effortless funk riffs with infectious vocal melodies and indie-pop sounds in new single, ‘Can’t We Just Be Friends Again’, out now via Heist or Hit.
It speaks of the confusion and the weird frustration that comes with wanting to snap back to being happy with someone you’ve only ever really been cool with before.
Sounds like: Ben Khan, Christine & The Queens, Patawawa, Bamily
DJ and producer Amtrac has teamed up with Grammy Award-winning British musician, DJ and producer Alex Metric on vocals in new single, ‘So Afraid’.
Looping vocals contemplate a simple question, “why you so afraid of love?” as Alex Metric’s breathy, enunciated voice lends an edge to the droning synths beneath, forming a steady crescendo of sound and passion that blooms.
UK duo Dirty Nice releases ‘100,000 Heartbeats’. A synth-wave pop at the core, it’s the perfect counterpart to the more lo-fi B-side, ‘Love Team’.
Originally presented as a special Valentines Day release, Dirty Nice sent a number of personalised cards to fans. Continuing this theme on their Instagram, an intergalactic cartoon epic has unfolded with a new card revealed every day.
Sounds like: Elder Island, Camel Power Club, Gorillaz, Everyone You Know, 10 O’Clock Chemical
Norwegian native, singer/songwriter and producer Rebekka Danielsson – aka EKKO – shares the visuals for ‘Off My Mind’.
Highly energetic, glorious pop with addictive melodic hooks and immaculate production this tune ticks all the boxes to be a serious club anthem and floor filler.
Expect her debut EP ‘Symptoms’ out later in the year.
Sounds like: Tove Lo, Chelsea Lankes, Allie X, ALMA, Kim Petras
Rising Danish pop songstress ELBA is making waves.
Starting her musical journey in the local choir at the age of six, it was clear her destiny was singing. Her new single ‘Remember Me’ showcases her powerful vocal range, and perfectly fits with the electro-pop production.
The Norweigan artists are smashing it this week, and it’s truly great to see Emilie Nicolas return.
Showing a new side to her music – less “cool pop” and more reflective – ‘Who’s Gonna Love You’ is centred around the difficulties of letting go of a relationship, succinctly capturing despair, unbridled joy, and the desire to dance.
Stockholm siblings Alva & August Heldt are The Endorphins.
As their name suggests, their feel-good future pop is set to induce endorphins. As they put it – “It’s about love, friendship, parties and sex“, and what’s wrong with that!
Listen to self-expressive ‘Dead Or Alive’ below.
Sounds like: The Magnettes, Banks, Fabich, Pastel, Midnight Pool Party, Keljet
‘I Need You Tonight’ is the latest in what’s been a prolific year of electro-pop anthems from the fast-rising European pop artist, Delena.
Lyrically suggestive, it’s an ode to the initial, exciting stages of a relationship. Set to the foundation of contemporary pop production, it’s another gem going above and beyond the high expectations set by Delena.
Sounds Like: Dua Lipa, Halsey, Call Me Loop, Charlie XCX
Trying her hand at a more pop-oriented track, ‘Don’t Wanna Go Back’ by Marie Lang is another stunner, with lyrical candour, creating a constructive narrative about Marie’s romantic life and tales of love, connection, and everything in between.
A classic friends-with-benefits situation, Marie once again takes a personal story and turns it into a vibrant piece of R&B and pop.
Melbourne-based ELME draws musical inspiration from a diverse selection of sources, musical and otherwise.
With a vocal character rooted in singer-songwriter origins, his sound has evolved to blend elements of electronica and pop with his love of acoustic guitar and piano.
Another Australian gem, this time from Abraham Tilbury, who is looking back over the last few years living in Melbourne in his latest single, ‘So Right’.
Now living in Brisbane, the solo artist is determined to focus on writing music under his own name instead of ghost-producing. The result is a fine piece of electro-pop.
Sounds Like: Jackson Dyer, JVLY, Friends in Paris, Georgia Mae
Maude Latour‘s new single is an exploration of the anguish and physical wear and tear related to heartache.
Latour’s self-assured vocals, lyricism inspired by ancient Greek poetry, and her elegant yet unconventional structure make ‘Lovesick’ her boldest effort to date.
German / British duo TONI&MASH teases us up with the first track from their debut EP ‘I Want It’. Going full on acid and synths, the track will take you through their world and warm you up for the full EP.
With a wide range of influences that includes everything from Abra to Patti Smith, and Grace Jones to The Sugababes, TONI&MASH have developed a DIY aesthetic with a riot girl attitude that borrows just as heavily from their retro inspirations, as much as more contemporary ones.
Jinka’s track ‘Ghost 2 U’ is glitchy trip-pop at its finest.
Ghost 2 U” is the Transylvanian artist‘s most emotionally dynamic track to date.
It juxtaposes a heavy, industrial half-time drop reminiscent of acts like Cashmere Cat, Amnesia Scanner or Tommy Cash with touchingly fragile and intimate tale-telling verses.
Jinka’s vocals evolve over a loop of pluck-sounds that unavoidably take your imagination to an underground stalactite cave hidden in the souterrains of Berlin.
Australian trio daste. is comprised of Callum MacDonald, Braxton Tahi & Tyler Harden.
Focusing on the smaller details (with the ‘d’ in daste. standing for detail), their new track, ‘SOBER’ is a summery lo-fi number showcasing simple, yet effective songwriting, and shares the idea that a clear head is always better than a mediocre, intoxicated one.
There is always an air of romanticism with Italian culture and Italian duo Malihini are no exception to this rule.
Their new single ‘Delusional Boy’ has upbeat drums, neatly undercut by its recurring vocal refrain, “Delusional Boy/Delusional Girl” – the downbeat rejoinder conveyed with a typically euphonious duo vocal melody that juxtaposes between a falsetto male part with baratone-esq female vocals, which all in all, creates an extremely easy-to-listen-to pop track.
Expect their debut album ‘Hopefully, Again’, out on 8 March via Memphis Industries.
Sounds like: SAMA, Beach House, Tennis, Chairlift, Au Revoir Simone
Highschool Jacob is an indie pop artist who has a serious way with words, so don’t mess.
Based out of Los Angeles, this nu-funk extraordinaire weaves catchy and retro melodies and engrossing stories to make head-nod worthy and heartwarming music.
There is a definite lo-fi, funk theme in this week’s gems. Introducing Jesse Hite – an exciting solo artist who has just shared his debut ‘When It All Comes Down’.
An American artist living in France, Hite effortless blends sounds thanks to this move across the Atlantic, as well as travels through Asia.
‘When It All Comes Down’ is the first single of a three-song EP to be released. The song is full of character, soulful lyrics, in which Mite manages to create as much blooming sound as music troop, Jungle between a large number of them!
Taking on the challenge of a new anthem for millennials is youthxx (also one half of Golden Coast).
‘New Frontier’ achieves anthemic territory with an inspiring, unforgettable vocal and sharp contemporary production that mixes synthetic and organic sounds with finesse.
