By Sarah Saint James is beaming with confidence and bubbling with vindication in her latest track BIG BOY. It’s not just an outpouring of frustration, nor is it just a celebration of finding empowerment – it’s a downright party about leaving the dream-squashers and time-wasters floundering at the starting line.
TRACK: The Odd Specifics – Luke Daniel Peacock
Brisbane-based singer/songwriter Luke Daniel Peacock has unveiled his third single of 2020 – an ’80s-influenced alternative pop ballad that’s laced with resonant guitar chords. The Odd Specifics takes a hard look at the attitudes of western society today, and the physical and emotional neglect that leaves our future uncertain.
TRACK: Something To Believe In – BLESSED
The enigmatic and inimitable BLESSED has made a return with his latest in genre-bending tracks. Something To Believe In continues to see BLESSED shaking up traditional music expectations through his compelling compositions, while also tackling the emotional numbness that falls upon us when our hardships go unnoticed and our problems stay unchanged.
EP: Departures – Elme
Encased in a tender four-track serenade, the debut EP of Melbourne-based singer/songwriter Elme is an introspective journey into how humans process detachment and distance. Departures elegantly combines melodically reflective nuance with thoughtful lyricism, providing the listener with a full-bodied experience from cover to cover.
FEATURE: GL
Melbourne-based electronic duo GL (a.k.a Ella Thompson and Graeme Pogson) have released their latest studio album, You Read My Mind. From simmering percussion, to edgy pulsing synths, GL have continued to raise the bar for modern disco and funk, with a sprinkling of something unique. We had a chat to Graeme and Ella about releasing music in lockdown, spontaneity in the studio, and how friendship and music mix. We also take a little deep-dive into the record too.
TRACK: miss andry – flowerkid
With some of the most powerful lyrics of the year, flowerkid has delivered an exquisite exploration into self-awareness and toxic comparisons. While sharing a deeply personal story of trauma, miss andry is overflowing with relatability and the important reminder that unseen wars are waging deeply within the people around us.
TRACK: dark until september – will hyde
Sharing new vulnerabilities and lyrical depth, will hyde has delivered a beautifully reflective track about the loss of love and sense of self that many of us have felt this year. With the ability to draw endless meaning from his words, dark until september feels like a sombre reminder that our pain doesn’t just disappear as the seasons start to change.
TRACK: Pushing Me Aside – AKA Lui
AKA Lui has made his return with a lusciously dreamy track that perfectly embodies his self-described ‘op shop pop’. Pushing Me Aside tells a melodically therapeutic tale about the pre-breakup discomfort of accepting change.
PLAYLIST: Lanstan’s Local List
Our first featured playlist has been curated by burgeoning Sydney hip-hop artist Lanstan, who takes us through his ‘Local List’ – his top 10 local hip-hop tracks.
INTERVIEW: Lanstan
Following the release of his latest track Trophy, it’s clear that 21-year-old Sydney hip-hop artist Lanstan is taking the local scene by storm. With an enviable confidence, a talent for introspective expression, and a unique genre-bending vision, Lanstan is carving out a clear space for himself in the modern hip-hop world. We had a chat with him about his songwriting, music journey, and the gaping hole left by the live music scene in 2020.
