MAR 14 - NOTEWORTHY NEW RELEASES
Words by Kate Johnson
Photo by Chris Frape
WEST THEBARTON – ‘TAPES’
West Thebarton have released their final single before they unveil their second album, ‘MONGREL AUSTRALIA’. It’s insane to think they have only released one album, and that was back in 2018. ‘Tapes’ is a soon-to-be-classic thanks to its fast-paced energy, lovely hook and iconic riffs. It’s fitting that all West Theb’s Facebook statuses are in caps lock — they’re passionate and loud, and different beings bring different. In this song, you’ll discover that they like tapes any day of the week. It’s so catchy that whatever your stance is on the topic, you’ll be thinking ‘I like tapes’. 
Image by @HOLYZINER
ELSY WAMEYO – 'PINY LARA’
Elsy Wameyo is showcasing her silky, shimmering, smooth range in her new track ‘Piny Lara’. Elsy is regarded as a rap queen, though with this track there’s not one bit of hip-hop. Still, she keeps it real as she harnesses vulnerability, curiosity and strength. Her Kenyan roots shine through in the production, lyrics and themes, which leaves an element of mystery – something Google Translate can’t answer for. You don’t know until you ask, so, you can find Elsy Wameyo on stage at The Lab on March 22 during her Sinner Tour (and you can buy tickets here) 
Image by @pyramyddigital
FEBRUARY CLOUDS – ‘BACKSEAT’
Pop-punk heads assemble! Warning: listening to February Clouds may give you a sickness similar to One Direction Infection or Bieber Fever. The diagnosis is February-clouded-vision because their track ‘Backseat’ will blind you with love! February Clouds could be the next 5 Seconds of Summer -- they have that teen-fangirl appeal, and they write a damned catchy track. ‘Backseat’ is about sitting in the rear of the car while you crush us in the front with some other dude. For those who like Blink 182, The Front Bottoms and LOLA, ‘Backseat’ should be in the forefront of your mind.
Image by artwork by @potionhead_
DIVEBAR YOUTH – ‘SO SLOW’
He’s been the wallflower of Adelaide’s music scene, though Vinnie Barbaro of DIVEBAR YOUTH is covering all bases with his diverse musical catalogue. He has seamlessly transitioned from indie to rap, all while producing a sound which is alternative, complex and varied. He crashed into the scene in 2019 with a stripped-back indie punk-pop single; his latest release, ‘SO SLOW’, is loud and in your face, and sounds like Arctic Monkeys were featured in a Rage Against the Machine track. But hey, this kid can rap. So brave. ‘SO SLOW’. Bravo.
Image from @themushniks
THE MUSHNIKS – ‘BE WHADDA WANT’
It’s a speedy session for this week’s releases. West Thebarton had ‘Tapes’ in under two minutes -- the Mushniks have beaten that with a 1:34 song! ‘Be Whadda Want’ is garage-rock and sure sounds like it's recorded in a sesh-shed. The Adelaide three-piece have previously released a live EP in 2021 and this is their first solo release.
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