May 31 - Noteworthy New Releases
Our favourite tunes of the week.
Emily Bettison - ‘Caffeinate’
‘Caffeinate’ is a silky late-night jam from rising singer-songwriter Emily Bettison.
A vibrant synth-pop tune built around swirling synths, a subtle piano line and Bettison’s transfixing vocals, ‘Caffeinate’ expresses the pressure creatives are put under to constantly perform and deliver.
The first taste of her upcoming debut EP, Stuff Can Do Two Things, ‘Caffeinate’ is a welcome introduction to the world Bettison is fabricating as an artist.
The word ‘banger’ gets thrown around way too often these days, but it’s an apt description when discussing Motez’s ‘Good 2 Go’.
This is hard-hitting techno (Motez has said it’s the second fastest song he’s ever produced) made for those who love nothing more than getting hot and sweaty on a packed dance floor and letting loose.
So if the Friday sads are creeping in and you’re looking for a little pick me up to get you through the rest of the day, ditch the coffee, whack on Motez’s ‘Good 2 Go’ and you’ll be up and about in no time.
My Chérie – ‘Darkness & Gold’
More than just a bedroom producer, My Chérie tells human stories through her emotionally ambient compositions. Her latest is ‘Darkness & Gold’, a sonically pleasurable pop number underscored by a gentle guitar lick and an old school hip hop beat.
“‘Darkness & Gold’ is my candid portrayal and deep dive into my human experience of the internal struggles we all face,” My Chérie said in a statement about the song.
“In confronting themes of strength, vulnerability, and the pursuit of self-improvement, I want to acknowledge the efforts of trying and the tricky journey of figuring ourselves out.”
As with all her releases, it’s My Chérie’s ethereal vocals that shine, with ‘Darkness & Gold’ giving off FKA Twigs and Kilo Kish vibes.
Aaron Thomas – ‘Bottle of Wine’
It’s been over a decade since Aaron Thomas released a new record, but the alt-folk artist is back with Human Patterns.
One of the album’s highlights is the simple yet enlightening ‘Bottle of Wine’. The romantic ballad finds Thomas, accompanied by acoustic guitar and light percussion, singing a love song to his violinist partner who also appears on the track.
It’s a sentimental love song without the mushiness in the mould of Bernard Fanning and Alex Lloyd.
Despite being relatively unknown here in Australia, Thomas has achieved much success overseas, and Human Patterns is certainly worth a listen.
Luka Kilgariff-Johnson, Louis Campbell and Jack Buenfeld – ‘ii’
Here’s something a little different for your weekly listen. ‘ii‘ is a track taken from the soundtrack to Max Hammerstein’s short film Crossways.
Crafted over four months by War Room bandmates Luka Kilgariff-Johnson and Louis Campbell and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Jack Buenfeld, under the direction of Hammerstein, the Crossways score is an astonishing piece of work with a dark edge.
While listening to the 18-minute score in its entirety is the best way to fully appreciate its genius, ‘ii’ is an atmospheric instrumental track that ebbs and flows before slowly fading into the darkness. We think you’ll dig it.
