On their third album The Cactus Channel are out to demonstrate their natural evolution as a unit – and while they may have outgrown the Daptone reverence of their initial sound, they are unmistakably the same group, just one that … Continue reading The Cactus Channel – Stay a While (2017 LP)
You certainly can’t criticise Crepes for not having a fully realised idea of their sound and how to deliver it, at least not where their debut album Channel Four is concerned. The accompanying press release uses adjectives like ‘jaunty’, ‘quaint’, … Continue reading Crepes – Channel Four (2017 LP)
Alexander Biggs’ EP Still You Sharpen Your Teeth paints the Melbourne singer in the tradition of modern American folk music, with a voice filled with personality and songs brimming with emotion. The instrumentation and production style does not differ … Continue reading Alexander Biggs – Still You Sharpen Your Teeth (2017 EP)
Much of Billy Davis’ A Family Portrait feels like a dedication to the joyful hip-hop and jazzy neo-soul of the ‘90s, with reference points such as Arrested Development and D’Angelo sitting alongside those of more contemporary acts like Anderson … Continue reading Billy Davis – A Family Portrait (2017 LP)
The evolution of Saskwatch has been interesting to observe – while they started out as a fairly straight-forward take on ‘60s soul they have readjusted their direction over the last few years, turning their hands to a brand of indie … Continue reading Saskwatch – Manual Override (2017 LP)
Saatsuma is collaboration between Cesar Rodrigues and Memphis Kelly, and while they expand to a five-piece to replicate the production and dynamics of their songs on stage, one of the most immediate points about Overflow is how much of an … Continue reading Saatsuma – Overflow (2017 LP)
This is the debut EP from Sydney based electronic musician Love Deluxe, but it is a decidedly sure footed opening gambit. The sound is typified by disco house grooves, layers of synths and a decidedly retro feel to the … Continue reading Love Deluxe – Silk Mirage (2017 EP)
Life Is Fine finds Paul Kelly in ‘classic’ mode; unlike many of his recent releases this album is a collection of mostly new songs performed with his crack hot live band, without having to conform to any theme other than … Continue reading Paul Kelly – Life Is Fine (2017 LP)
LCD Soundsystem’s first album in seven years kicks off with a filtered arpeggiating synth and heavy synth bass that immediately recalls their past. The song, Oh Baby, sees bandleader James Murphy step further into 1980s pop mode than ever before. … Continue reading LCD Soundsystem – American Dream (2017 LP)
Anyone who has seen WAAX live can attest to the fact that Marie DeVita’s bug-eyed, high energy performances – twisting on the stage like a woman possessed – are a big part of WAAX’s live appeal. That commitment to the … Continue reading WAAX – Wild & Weak (2017 EP)
Strength is the key word for Mary J. Blige’s 13th album, Strength Of a Woman, on which the R&B powerhouse returns to showcase exactly what her strengths as an artist are. Throughout these 14 soul baring tracks she is unflinchingly … Continue reading Mary J. Blige – Strength Of A Woman (2017 LP)
Pure Comedy continues Father John Misty’s run of super-chic, highly sarcastic albums based in the 1970’s singer-songwriter mould. While 2012’s Fear Fun was cloaked in self-deprecating LA cool and populated by an array of characters – i.e. Sally Hatchet, the … Continue reading Father John Misty – Pure Comedy (2017 LP)
