New, new and more new tracks to get you through the rest of the working week! Beginning this mixtape with a bang is ‘Coming Back’ from Melbourne ensemble True Live, followed by the delightful Jen Cloher with her new song ‘Toothless Tiger’, before going a bit grunge-tastic with Sincerely, Grizzly and Beaches. With a change of mood by Broken Social Scene they have released a rare track as a free download, before Jeremy Neale and Polica with Justin Vernon steal our hearts as do the stunning Major Chord.
True Live – Coming Back
Biding their time underground for the past few years, Melbourne’s genre-transcending ensemble True Live has risen to the surface in an entirely new skin. Having undergone a metamorphosis in sound, the light hip-hop demonstrated in “TV” has been righteously replaced by grungy avant-garde riffs littered with feverish violin and gravelly Vedder-like vocals. Watch out, “Coming Back To You” packs a raw meaty punch!
Jen Cloher – Toothless Tiger
Melbourne songstress, Jen Cloher is set to release her third album later this year. This is the third single off that album. There is an effortless cool to the song, in Cloher’s beautiful drawl along with the grungy sound to the guitar. Fellow Melbournian talent, Courtney Barnett, also features on guitar in this track. Cloher and the band will be touring later this year.
Sincerely, Grizzly – Give Up The Ghost
The last track off the 2012 release Doom & Gloom, ‘Give Up The Ghost’ shows a softer side to Adelaide three-piece Sincerely, Grizzly. Commencing with only a very meandering and well toned guitar and cymbals, it leaves a lot of space to enjoy singer Joshua Calligeros’ warm vocals and interesting lyrics, and subtle strings that enter halfway through the track. With a twinge of 90’s emo and grunge, Sincerely, Grizzly have still managed to develop their own sound and are a must see live band.
Beaches – Send Them Away
Everyone’s favourite local five-piece are back! With the news that the Melbourne group would e touring in support of their new single dropped last week it’s safe to say many were excited. Now that you’ve wrapped our ears around this fantastic, grunge-tastic new single, we can’t wait for more. After all, it has been five long years since the launch of their debut eponymous album. Here’s hoping fans get what they want.
Broken Social Scene – Deathcocks
With sad, drunken pianos and a melancholy melody, Broken Social Scene’s rare track, that once again pays testament to the fact that too there’s no such thing as too many musicians in a studio and that there’s no such thing as music that’s too sad. With Kevin Drew’s hauntingly sombre vocals and a honk melody which features a Jeff Magnum-esque trumpet, this has all the makings of a great, nostalgia-inducing track.
Jeremy Neale – In Stranger Times
Jeremy Neale has turned another tune to gold with latest release ‘In Stranger Times’. His lo-fi pop has taken a beachy turn in this number, with a throw back to a cowabunga 1960’s vibe behind his fluid crooning. With hooky grooves and vintage shakes, Neale’s buttery voice brightens up typical indie pop with a twisty production.
Polica – Tiff (feat. Justin Vernon)
Having previously called Poliça “the best band I ever heard”, Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon has teamed up with the Minnesota indie rockers on their hypnotic new single, “Tiff”. His signature falsetto lends itself well to the steady, acid-rock-tinged electronic song and is a sweet accompaniment to Channy Leaneagh’s soothing vocals.
Major Chord – Transition
The stunningly beautiful “Transition” taken from the forthcoming fourth album from Major Chord is a slow-burning ballad perfect for a wintery day. Songwriter Dan Flynn emerges from his musical shell since the passing of his father and 2011’s Psychic Civil War, with a sleepy and sad ditty that is both powerful and endearing. The minimalist flair is unapologetically catchy and the soaring climax of strings and percussion is a beautiful taste of Major Chord’s new record.
