There's something for everyone this week! Artists featured this week include Ginger Root, Flying Lotus, Squint, Peachnoise, Wes Parker, Nicky MacKenzie, Brock Geiger and Geordie Greep.
THE BEST:
‘Only You’
– Ginger Root
Based on my
exposure to this one track alone, Ginger Root seems like a more hyper version
of Hall and Oates. The vocals are soulful and hooky (I like the big ‘only
youuuuu’ that launches us into the chorus), and are propelled along by some
fast-paced funky bass guitar that refuses to sit still. It comes off the
SoCal’s upcoming album Shinbangumi.
‘Garmonbozia’
– Flying Lotus
I’ve not seen
the Twin Peaks movie, but Google tells me that ‘Garmonbozia’ is an
interdimensional entity from the film that manifests itself as creamed corn. It
seems exactly like the type of niche pop culture reference that Flying Lotus
would sing about. Oh yes, that’s right – FlyLo is singing in this one! Besides
a few songs where he’s rapped or taken on his strange Captain Murphy singer alias,
the electronic producer has largely shied away from the mic. His suave crooning
on this track pairs well with the intoxicating synth swells and punchy synth
bass. I’m glad he’s back!
‘Pack Rat’
– Squint
St Louis
hardcore band Squint’s new single ‘Pack Rat’ is a cathartically loud headbanger.
The main riff grabs you from the get-go and the shouty backing vocals in the
chorus give it an added catchiness. The whole song is over in 2 minutes, but it
gets the job done.
‘Nothing
Can Stay The Same’ – Peachnoise
This is the
weirdest and most wonderful song that’s landed in my inbox for a while. It’s
the work of Melbourne experimental duo Peachnoise, consisting of members Gina
and Polyslyme. Entrancing vocals dance over woozy chopped-up synth arpeggios playing
out like some beautiful cyborg ballet. And then just when you think the track
has settled, it shifts gear and some spacey synth swells swoop in and whisk you
away. It’s a constantly morphing song that lives up to its name. It comes off
the duo’s debut album, which you can stream on Spotify here.
‘Tattoo’ –
Wes Parker
‘Tattoo’ is a
song about opiate addiction. It’s accompanied by some surprisingly upbeat
guitars and fun syncopated drums that make each riff fittingly addictive. The
whole track kinda sounds like if Radiohead went in a heartland rock direction –
opening with a blast of harmonica and closing with a chorus of psychedelic
synths.
‘Come
Back’ – Nicky MacKenzie
Off her
upcoming EP Morals, BC-based pop singer delivers this gorgeous track ‘Come
Back’, which features a soulful vocal performance over some detailed
production. It grabbed me from the opening guitar riff and kept me captivated
as it builds up into its satisfying chorus (that vocal run during the pre-chorus
is heavenly stuff).
‘Steps
Taken’ – Brock Geiger
‘Steps Taken’
is the work of Canadian singer and multi-instrumentalist Brock Geiger. It’s a captivatingly
weird pop song with a catchy synth riff and jittery 7/4 time signature. It also
has a captivatingly weird music video featuring some impressive botanical body
horror (think The Fly - but instead he's turning
into a plant).
THE WORST:
‘Holy,
Holy’ - Geordie Greep
It’s been barely a week since the breakup of black midi, and frontman Geordie Greep is already kicking off his solo career. ‘Holy, Holy’ is a rambling song about fucking every woman in the bar over an instrumental that sounds like Jamiroquai attempting prog rock. I’m intrigued by it, but the theatre kid energy is also a little too much. And that's coming from someone who has a high tolerance for theatre kid energy.