Dirty Computer is Janelle Monae’s third album and the first to diverge from the storyline that featured on all previous releases, including 2008’s debut EP Metropolis: The Chase Suite. This means that, at least for the sake of presentation, Monae … Continue reading Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer (2018 LP)
‘Pretty soon I’ll be getting on my first plane’ sang Lorde on ‘Tennis Court’, the opening track of her debut album. Four years later, and she stands beaming out across a packed audience as thousands of iPhones capture every second … Continue reading Lorde – Sidney Myer Music Bowl (26/11/17)
Moses Sumney’s instrument is his beautiful voice, which is layered and treated throughout Aromanticism and framed by his own unobtrusive production. I say unobtrusive because the tracks almost resemble soundscapes, with percussive elements almost completely absent, as layers of Sumney’s … Continue reading Moses Sumney – Aromanticism (2017 LP)
On Sunday night I stumbled into a strange and foreign world – a pop concert by the US singer Kehlani. We found The Forum completely packed upon arrival, with the 22-year-old Californian already on stage and the similarly youthful audience … Continue reading Kehlani – The Forum, Melbourne (27/08/17)
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)
Elbow have always felt like something of a guilty pleasure to me – perhaps because their music is so unabashedly romantic and sincere. Too often artists that can be labeled as ‘earnest’ walk a dangerous line of self importance, however … Continue reading Elbow – Little Fictions (2017 LP)
Anchor begins with a deep rumbling bass loop, with muffled drums sounds rising rapidly out of the muddy mix. A single synth note and a hoarse, unintelligible vocal moves quickly across the stereo spectrum, forewarning something -possibly menacing, and decidedly … Continue reading NGAIIRE – Blastoma (2016 LP)
Joshua James, from Salt Lake City, Utah, opened tonight’s show at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. Appearing in duo form with long time guitarist and backing vocalist Evan Coulombe, the young man’s intense delivery, earnest persona and delicate yet gruff voice were … Continue reading Neil Finn + Joshua James – Hamer Hall, Melbourne (12/03/14)
Matt Corby was the local support act tonight, tasked with opening the show at Melbourne’s Palace Theatre. Although the mostly 30 plus crowd, a strong contingent of whom seemed to be from Britain, largely didn’t know who the 20 year … Continue reading Elbow + Matt Corby – The Palace Theatre, Melbourne (27/07/2011)
words by watts 