It's our last new music column for the year, and it's an epic one! Enjoy, Gold Coast.
ECB’s Slick Edge
After recently dominating triple j’s ‘Bars Of Steel’ segment, local hip-hop collective ECB (East Coast Brotherhood) are back with a hard hitting single and gritty new video to match. ’Slime’ features slick verses from rappers Chiggz, JK-47, Will and Nate G with the film clip seeing all the members appear in a shiny vintage convertible cruising the familiar streets of the Southern Gold Coast. The production and overall delivery clearly draw inspiration from early American Hip-Hop greats but the glitchy beat and connection to country gives ECB a unique edge. Super solid stuff here that is set to put the all-star collective back on the map.
Peach Fur’s Unexpected Gem
Local heavyweights Peach Fur and Saint Lane have teamed up this month to give you an unexpected gem of a single ‘Bloom’. Led by Peachy’s slinky smooth psych sounds the track features a tight rhythm section, allowing space for Saint Lane’s relaxed flow and clever wordplay. Taken from the band’s forthcoming album, ‘Bloom’ opens a new chapter for Peach Fur who have said to be consciously exploring new sonic territory ahead of the record’s 2023 release. Easily one of the year’s best local collaborations. Read more about it here.
Emily Grace Taylor’s Ray Of Sunshine
Emily Grace Taylor (aka Emily Hamilton) has continued her exploration away from the indie rock moniker San Mei with a heart-warming country/folk single ‘On My Way To You’. Led by a subtle driving rhythm and decorated by rich pedal steel guitar, the track is complete with Hamilton’s delicate vocal that tells a story of resilience, hope and healing. Again taking the lead on production with the help of long-time collaborator George Carpenter on mixing duties, Emily Grace Taylor’s ‘On My Way To You’ is a ray of sunshine that’s sure to brighten up your day.
Karl S. Williams Brings His A-Game
Karl S. Williams is channelling his inner Bob Dylan on the powerful new single ‘Mighty Judgement’, a brutal commentary of the modern world told with Williams’ unmistakable fervour. Opening with acoustic guitar and a Dylan-esque vocal delivery, the track quickly builds in intensity, introducing commanding electric guitars and huge drums that strike in the space between vocal melodies to create an epic call and response rhythm. There are a lot to choose from, but this may very well be Karl S. Williams’ strongest release to date. Truly brilliant stuff from this local stalwart.
Jason Delphin’s Giant Step
Known for his foot stomping, blues-inspired live shows Jason Delphin is taking a mammoth step in the opposite direction with the 90’s club electro banger ‘Âme Soeur’ (soulmate). Written about intimate connections beyond our knowledge, the track features wonderfully cheesy vintage synth sounds, a fist pumping drum loop and a heavily effected, euphoric vocal that is sure to take you back in time. Taking control of the recording process himself for this release it’s clear that Jason Delphin is comfortable in his own skin, writing any music he pleases regardless of expectation.
Hussy Hicks Turn Up The Amps
Local heroes Hussy Hicks have turned up the amps for their gritty new electric blues inspired single ‘I Am Not A Dog’, released alongside another online game to complete the bands unique digital EP / metaverse concept they have been working on over the past 12 months. Written as an outlet valve for the anger and anxiety the band experienced during Covid, the track oozes attitude from the tough guitar riffs and swaggering drums to the pocket bass and inspired vocal delivery. Finally with the world resembling normality the band are currently doing what they do best on a mammoth 30 plus date tour through until April 2023. Read our interview with the Hussies here.
Is Man Kind’s Full Throttle Exploration
Is Man Kind are coming out of the gates strong with their full throttle, energetic exploration of sound ‘Fearless’. Recorded with Benny D Williams, the seven tracks stand as a complete package, melding into one another effortlessly with the help of blues-inspired guitars, dynamic drumming, and passionate vocals. Highlight moments include the epic album intro, the manic instrumental on ’Super Sexy Satisfaction’ and the vocal juxtaposition of the EP closing duet ‘The Impossible Dream’ with India Dupriez. You can catch the band tearing up stages all across the Gold Coast over the next few months, so check socials for details.
KOOLZ Strips Things Back
After an epic return to the live stage at her hometown show in September KOOLZ is rounding out the year with the release of a stripped back version of ‘Coffee’. Letting the vocal melodies shine through this revised version has minimal drums replacing the tight guitar parts of the original with washy synths and spacey reverb. A perfect addition for any Sunday playlist ‘Coffee (Stripped Back)’ solidifies KOOLZ’s as one of the Gold Coast’s most musically diverse artists. Read our chat with KOOLZ.
Lemaire’s Infectious Groove
Lemaire gets us bopping his month with the high energy genre cocktail ‘Postcode’, a reflective track about differences of opinion written during the height of the pandemic. With hip-hop at its core, the tune also borrows from modern rock, with distorted bass and intricate drums producing an infectious sound reminiscent of Portugal The Man’s ‘Feel It Still’. Lemaire’s tight (rap heavy) verses flow smoothly into the melody driven chorus to create yet another unique piece of work from the talented songwriter.
Eimhin’s Heart Melter
One-of-a-kind local talent Eimhin has followed up his much-loved debut ‘Lately’ with rich folk-rock single 'She Met My Eyes’. Written about falling out of love, the heart-melting track begins with minimal production, slowly building in intensity with triumphant choir synths, roomy drums and layered vocals reminiscent of Fleet Foxes. Known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, Eimhin lives and breathes his craft, embracing his divine femininity through gender non-conforming fashion and vulnerable songwriting. More stunning stuff here from Eimhin.
Chloe Styler’s Hypnotic Beauty
Local songstress Chloe Styler is finishing off a successful year with the release of the blissful sounds of ‘Vaguer Than Vegas’. Co-written with Darlinghurst’s Jason Resch and produced by Andy Mak (Vera Blue, The McClymonts) the beautifully put together track showcases Stylers’ unique take on country pop, intertwining lush melodies with a driving backbone to create an almost hypnotic experience. With none of the flashy over-production of modern country pop ‘Vaguer Than Vegas’ seems to defy categorisation and is sure to impress the country music community and beyond.
Sunday Sesh’s Raucous Party Jam
Sunday Sesh are on a roll with the release of their third raucous, party-starting single for 2022: ‘Love Bite’. Driven by another cheeky narrative, the track explores the details of a lustful relationship that is intensified by thrashy drumming, shredding guitars, and a commanding rock vocal delivery. A true Gold Coast affair, ‘Love Bite’s’ world-class sound was created at Jared Adlam's home studio in Coomera and mixed by fellow GC local Blake Malone. The perfect soundtrack to a balmy Gold Coast house party this summer.
MAD WXRLD Cuts Deep
MAD WXRLD has hit us with another modern-day electronic RnB slow groover ‘Fly Away’ featuring the mellow overtones of local MC Dream Aladdin. A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, MAD WXRLD cuts deep on this track telling a story of past struggles with anxiety and depression, while pushing love away in the process. With an impressive video that dives even deeper into the emotions portrayed in the lyrics MAD WXRLD is another artist finishing off the year with her strongest release to date.
Jake Murdoch’s Bee-side
Child prodigy Jake Murdoch is back with his second single in as many months with the thought-provoking ballad ‘Bee-side’. Putting down the lead guitar and again relying more on his vocal the track dives into the importance of honeybees, detailing the impact they have on our planet. Featuring an electric drumbeat, a percussive didgeridoo part and roomy acoustic guitars the track continues to mine new musical territory for this talented youngster.
Out 20 December
The Vinyl Ground’s otherworldly path
The Vinyl Ground are continuing on a path of otherworldliness with their expressive new single and accompanying arthouse video clip ‘Losing Myself’. Fronted by recent Gold Coast native Jazz Milburn the track follows a romantic, lustrous storyline that is enhanced by Milburn’s yearning vocal and risqué visuals that switch tastefully between a live performance and a bedroom scene. Taken from a forthcoming album, The Vinyl Ground are keeping listeners guessing in the lead up to what is sure to be a wonderfully diverse selection of songs set for release early 2023.