JUNE/JULY: IN's New Music Roundup
It’s been one heck of an exciting, music-heavy year – and to commemorate getting halfway through 2019, we’ve picked out some great new tunes for you.
Read/listen on, ‘cause we’ve got plenty!
Perth dream pop at its finest. This hazy affair is the debut album of Peppermint Showers and captures ethereal atmosphere rich in detail. It is easy to get lost in and is the perfect accompaniment to what has been a wet and miserable winter so far.
– Daniel Morey
Having taken the likes of triple j by storm, BENEE has already cemented herself as a must-listen with ‘Evil Spider’ and of course, ‘Soaked’ – which landed itself in 2018’s Hottest 100. Now, the down-to-earth artist releases her exciting debut EP, which delivers a right proper groove with its crinkle-cut chorus lines. Her lush brand of indie pop and R&B is simply infectious. Give these earworms a listen and while you’re at it, read her interview with us here!
– Rachel Yeo
What a stunningly assured debut release! It is easy to see why Crumb have built a strong cult following despite being fully independent. A gorgeous mix of indie pop, jazz, and psychedelic pop, Jinx is hypnotic and addictive, with every listen unravelling more nuggets of detail. Frontwoman Lila Ramani delivers trance-like vocals that disguise lyrics full of poetic anxiety. This is an album that will suit any mood.
– Daniel Morey
With wonder-tracks such as ‘Wonder Drug’, ‘Lungs’ and ‘Protection’ already teased in earlier months, Allday is making a strong comeback with this latest 11-track record. Coated with melancholy, the quintessential Aussie rapper’s trademark vocals shine best during his softer rap verses, but also those with a cheeky lyric or two (think ‘Best Life’). As a plus, you can enjoy his collabs with WA’s Japanese Wallpaper and Lonelyspeck.
– Rachel Yeo
ZIGGY ALBERTS // A Postcard from an Australian Summer
Australian singer and songwriter Ziggy Alberts has just released a nostalgic EP titled A Postcard from an Australian Summer, which contains live versions of several hits off his 2018 album, Laps Around the Sun, as well as the folk classic ‘Gone (The Pocahontas Song)’. This EP gives listeners a similar experience to one they’d have whilst attending one of his live shows, with the crowd’s screams and passionate singing-along evident in the background of the artist’s smooth and emotional performances. In the EP is even the inspiring track ‘Interlude’, which includes a speech he made on suicide rates and prevention within Australia. Overall, this release is warming and uplifting – much like, well, an Australian summer.
– Sophie Marshall
Perth favourite Fraeya’s debut track ‘Housewarming’ is raw, absorbing indie-folk. It’s a warm and melancholy song, shot through with lyrical, thoughtful songwriting and powerful musical arrangements. Lead singer and songwriter Fraeya Evans’s voice is a knockout; clear and emotional, effortlessly communicating love, loss and all the nuances of loneliness and change. Watch out for what they’ve got up their sleeves next, because ‘Housewarming’ looks like the beginning of a beautiful thing.
– Ella Fox-Martens
Angus Stone’s new album starts off with a sweet lullaby, with tracks like ‘Hey Little Baby’ and ‘Give Me Honey’ best consumed on a hammock, relaxing in the sunshine with beach waves far off in the distance. That’s not to say a serene melodic calm is all this album has to offer; there are some definite smooth beats, especially in ‘Lonely Boy’s Paradise’ and ‘Dope & Smoke’. Don’t just take my word for it – give it a listen yourself. And while you’re at it, have a read of what Angus Stone himself has to say about his new album here.
– Daniela Koulikov
THOM YORKE // ANIMA
The Radiohead frontman has delivered his most assured solo outing yet with the haunting ANIMA. Built on eerie electronics and rich in emotional complexity, ANIMA finds Thom Yorke at his idiosyncratic best. It was reportedly created on a rush of anxiety, and an ominous mood runs deep on this creation that is equal parts unsettling and beautiful. This one will definitely rate high on year-end lists.
– Daniel Morey
There is ‘Gold on the Ceiling’ after The Black Keys’ long anticipated comeback. The alt-rock band from America are guaranteed to get your soul grooving with their new album, Let’s Rock. There is a rhythmic riot waiting in each chorus ,and the lyrics let you set sail through a timeless, thought-provoking and feel good daydream. ‘Sit Around and Miss You’, ‘Go’ and “Get Yourself Together’ are well worth a listen or two… or a hundred. Their first new album in five years has been well worth the wait, and they have the (Black) Key to my heart.
– Briana Fiore
CARLA GENEVE // Self-titled EP
Shades of Courtney Barnett colour Carla Geneve’s self-titled debut EP. Geneve has long been a favourite of Perth’s live music scene, and her EP captures her observational lyrics and guitar heroics. This is a hard-hitting release in every sense of the word. Expect big things from her in the future.
– Daniel Morey
Following the release of his much-loved album Amen in 2018, there were high expectations for Rich Brian’s new album The Sailor. To say he met these expectations would be a vast understatement. The Sailor sees the Indonesian rapper/singer smoothly exploring new styles and pushing the boundaries of rap music, one track at a time. Upon releasing ‘Yellow’ (which involves a more melodic singing rather than rapping) – and ‘Kids’ (which conveys an old-school and more unique rap style in comparison to his earlier releases) prior to the release of the album, Brian surprised many listeners with how experimental his style was becoming. If anything, through this album, the artist has proven how flexible and creative his voice and style really are. It’s a pleasant surprise for listeners, with both slow and upbeat tracks, displaying the limitless abilities of Rich Brian.
– Sophie Marshall
Homegrown talent Japanese Wallpaper has returned with a brand new, gleaming track titled ‘Imaginary Friends’. As the song repeats, “It takes one to know one, and two to make amends” – a truth phrased beautifully as it tells of the end of a relationship. Much like his dreamy discography, this single is best enjoyed out loud in the car on a cold winter night’s drive.
– Rachel Yeo
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN // Western Stars
Not many artists release such solid records this late in their career. Storied rock hero Bruce Springsteen turned to 1970s California pop and country on his nineteenth album, crafting his best record in a very, very long time. The characters in Western Stars are as fully realised as some of his classics, and the instrumentation is luscious and full. This album definitely surprised me, but in the best possible way.
– Daniel Morey
JAI PAUL // Leak 04-13 (Bait Ones)
Okay, this is technically not an ‘album’, but it is still a rewarding release worth flagging. Jai Paul’s story has become something of music lore; a rising star in the music scene blindsided by an untimely leak, pushing him out of the public eye. That leak (from back in 2012) has now been ‘officially’ released by Jai Paul’s team, so you can listen to it guilt-free. Though the tracks are in varying degrees of completing, it showcases undeniable promise. Make sure you also read the open-letter that coincided with this release to understand the darker side of music industry politics.
– Daniel Morey
Full of all the tracks you’ve loved since 2017’s breakthrough single ‘Fool’s Gold’, Sugar Mountain is the deluxe version of Rivers’ debut album - and it’s a killer. The perfect accompaniment to a wintery weekend, her tunes are dark with just a tinge of hope-filled pop. Without question, the best track is her latest single ‘Adolescent’. Reminiscent of Courtney Love at her best, with angsty fuck-you lyrics and massive guitar riffs, it will have you up and dancing and shaking the winter blues away.
– Rebecca Bowman
SLUM SOCIABLE // If I Were Called Back
In this second teaser of a single, Slum Sociable head back to their old roots with gentle piano melodies and wistful lyrics. Crooning the lines “All the emotion I cannot stomach / vanishes when I’m with you” within the chorus, Miller’s vocals shine through yet again – revealing a taste of more to come in their upcoming EP in early August.
– Rachel Yeo