Another week another mixtape and we’re super excited for this one! With tunes from local and international acts including, The Gurg, an amazing duet by Neil Finn and Eddie Vedder, the new Active Child, as well as hyper-local acts like the Royal Jellies and our new favourite Canadians The Belle Game, this is one for the books!
Regurgitator – ‘Sine Wave’
There are few things in life we love better than a little bit of The Gurg so it was a no brainer making this single our feature for this particular mixtape. Taken from their incredibly awesome new album Dirty Pop Fantasy this single is about as great as it gets in terms of the Brisbane band’s unique brand of pop-punk-synth-core. With the recent news that after their current tour, the boys will be on hiatus, it’s time to rejoice and embrace all things Gurg!
Eddie Vedder & Neil Finn – ‘Throw Your Arms Around Me’ (Hunters & Collectors Cover)
It’s okay if you’ve got high expectations these huge names covering one of those songs a lot of artists aren’t game to attempt. They don’t disappoint. Vedder’s trademark growl and Finn’s clean vocals thread together beautifully and the arrangement of two acoustic guitars and an organ is perfectly appropriate. The Hunters and Collectors tribute album Crucible is released on the 27th of September.
The Belle Game – ‘Wait Up For You’
This Canadian five-piece describe their sound as “dark-pop”, but it might be easier to attach a pre Only By The Night Kings Of Leon tag to the band. The guitars on ‘Wait Up For You’ are reminiscent of the Followill clan with The Belle Game only defining itself through horns, amiable female vocals and a nice lil’ catchy chorus that sticks.
Active Child – ‘Subtle’ Ft. Mikky Ekko
The first of two big collaborations from Pat Grossi’s latest offering, Rapor, uses the input of Mikky Ekko to bolster his sound with a pop midsection that adds to the track’s prominent synth beats. Whether his song with Ellie Goulding will try to mix the high vocals of Active Child with the English singer in a manner that evokes something more upbeat is a question that could shed light on where the singer could be heading for album number 2.
The Royal Jellies – ‘Place In My Head’
This swingin’ single from The Royal Jellies’ forthcoming album Burrows St. Poolside is too much fun. Catchy brass hooks full of toe tapping trumpet make it nearly impossible not to listen to this without a smile on your face (or inevitably snapping your fingers in some kind of beatnik jazz-pop trance). A fresh interpretation of traditional New Orleans jazz, this track glides from section to section. Melbourne has been producing a lot of brass driven bands of late, but the Jellies’ sheer enthusiasm and lyrical wit make ‘Place In My Head’ well worth a listen.
Blue Pills – ‘Devil Man’
Swedish psychedelic blues rock group Blue Pills have unleashed a brand new track on the world called ‘Devil Man’ and what a set of pipes the lead singer Elin Larsso has! If you’re a Janis Joplin fan, then Blue Pills are a band for you. ‘Devil Man’ rocks from beginning to end; commencing acapella to showcase Elin’s incredible vocal range before rocking into some serious guitar riffs and killer drums. Catch Blue Pills at their first Australian show at Melbourne’s Cherry Fest on Sunday 24th November.
Bodyjar – ‘Fairytales’
Back after a three year hiatus, Bodyjar have released their first new material in eight years. Fairytale is the first single from soon to be released album Role Model and it’s bringing pop punk back with a vengeance. Oozing with energy and pumping guitar, Bodyjar seem set to pick up as if they never stopped. I would highly recommend checking out the video clip as it features some mighty tight lycra bodysuits, crime fighting superheroes and the vicious destruction of a dipplatter that I’m yet to get my head around – good old fashioned fun. Bodyjar may have been off the radar for a few years, but Fairytales signals a return to form. Role Model will be one to look out for.
