We listen to a lot of music here at Tone Deaf HQ, and we’re the first to admit we’re perhaps a little biased towards sounds of the Australian variety. We do make the best music in the world, after all.
In honouring our favourite Aussies, we’ve once again compiled a list of the most outstanding local releases you should be listening to right now – whether they’re smaller indies acts or big-name essentials, these are the newest Australian records you should be adding to your ‘must-listen’ list. Let’s get started.
Harpoons – Falling For You (Remote Control)
It finally happened: The Harpoons have at last put out their debut album. And, pardon the spoiler, it more than lives up to the hype.
The Melbourne-based four-piece have been polishing their genre-blending sound over the past few years, and on Falling For You it’s never been so infectious and charming.
From the Bec Rigby-led, perfectly-penned pop anthem ‘Unforgettable’ to the back-and-forth R&B singalong ‘Can We Work This Out’, on Falling For You they continue to fuse old-school soul with elements of contemporary pop. It’s worthy to note that Martin King’s deft electronic touch has never been so potent in The Harpoons’ delightfully smooth sonic palette, and it totally works.
The Harpoons’ notoriously on-point live sets have had us long claiming that they’re one of Melbourne’s best-loved treats, and now their debut album album only confirms it. (Dylan McCarthy)
Donny Benet – Weekend At Donny’s (Rice Is Nice)
Weekend At Donny’s is the third studio album from the Sydney based electric keyboard/ synthesizer/ drum machine/ accordion/ electric bass/ post disco king Mr Donny Benet.
The Rice Is Nice release is not really a solo record, it’s more of a collaborative release, featuring the talents of local gems Geoffrey O’Connor, Jack Ladder, Isabel Manfredi, SPOD, Kirin J Callinan and Elana Stone.
Featuring the typical 80s throwback electro pop (what else would you expect from a Benet release?) What makes the record so endearing is the fact that it’s not just a parody of cheesy 80s culture, but more of a modern homage, that allows you to enjoy and appreciate accessible synthy pop jams while still being musically adventurous and interesting.
It’s almost the weekend, so why not make it a Weekend At Donny’s? (Lucy Dayman)
Bertie Blackman – The Dash (Warner)
Earlier this year the always evolving Bertie Blackman released ‘War Of One’ a pulsating, synth laced single which we coined a strong contender for ‘the best 80s montage soundtrack’ we’ve heard all year.
Listening to ‘Run For Your Life’ the opening track of the local talent’s new fifth LP The Dash, it’s clear she’s taking synth pop seriously, and it works for her. Blackman was most focussed and sonically exciting in 2009 with the release of her record Secrets and Lies and The Dash sounds like a potential follow on from that release. Though the sound isn’t the same, it’s clear that she’s channeling a new previously unexplored facet of her creative imagination.
The Dash is an exploration of pop music for which Blackman called on an ensemble of co-writers, a 30 -odd list of names that included the likes of Julian Hamilton (The Presets), Louis Schoorl (Daniel Johns, 360, Jessica Mauboy), and John Castle (Megan Washington, Josh Pyke, Vance Joy). It’s fun and inspired and everything you want from a killer local pop release. (LD)
Los Tones– Psychotropic (Groove/ Off The Hip Records)
Sydney garage four piece Los Tones have just dropped their new LP Psychotropic. Mixed by Owen Penglis of Straight Arrows (and every other killer Sydney garage band ever) in only a few days out of Owen’s Kings Cross studios, and mastered by Mikey Young of Eddy Current Suppression Ring (and every other killer band ever) it live up to the name drop.
Over 11 tracks, Los Tones produce loose, scrappy, howling, fun time guitar-pop, obviously influenced by a low-fi 60s sound, think Frowning Clouds and The Murlocs and ever other band that’s slaying live right now. Though it may not be necessarily new or the world’s most groundbreaking release, it’s solid and just really effing fun, so who cares? (LD)
Daniel Lee Kendall – Daniel Lee Kendall Is Dead (Create/Control)
Daniel Lee Kendall, aka Daniel Forsyth, has had an interesting past few years. After being thrust into the music industry spotlight, he decided to go on some soul searching after thinking he’d lost the joy in making music. So then he decided to travel, going through the Middle East and even surfing in Sri Lanka to clear his head. However, while overseas he broke his arm in a motorcycle accident, causing complete loss of movement in his right arm.
As it turns out, it ended up being a blessing. It was during the long recovery process that the singer wrote the 12 tracks to his new album, Daniel Lee Kendall Is Dead.
As DLK told Tone Deaf in a recent interview, the process behind the new record stretched “over a period of 2-3 years”.
“All the songs I had written added up to about 50… The ones left behind are sitting on my computer. I actually really like about 30 of them. So does my mum. Maybe I can do another album called Daniel Lee Kendall: Still Dead or something,” he quipped.
Hardships aside, Daniel Lee Kendall is back and better than ever.
Olympic Ayres – Leisureplex (Independent)
Olympic Ayres are Kamaliza Salamba and Nathan Mifsud, a producer-DJ duo who encapsulate the feeling of youth within every song, promising to take you on a blissful ride through the summer airwaves.
“Escapism was at the heart of the entire EP,” explains Kam of their new short-player, Leisureplex. “We wanted to capture what it felt like to have that intense desire to be somewhere else, both past and present.
“Feels-wise, I like to think of it as disco-alchemy; care free music attached to a sober spirit.”
Full of disco-groove guitars, sweaty synths and boiler room baselines, Leisureplex is your new summertime essential. (DM)
