Words by Kate Johnson

DJ TR!P – VACUUM

If you’re after a consistent, pumped-up track for cleaning the house, DJ TR!P has you sorted. His latest track, ‘Vacuum’, sounds like ’90s house music reinvented – it’s made solely using a computer. For those unfamiliar with electronic house, you might think your speakers have broken. But soon, you’ll find listening to DJTR!P doubles your productivity. Look, we don’t know the facts, though we can say this tune is hype. We love the insertion of bongo drums, high hats and the suction feel… almost like a vacuum. DJTR!P draws us back to what ’90s rave music is all about – having fun, expressing yourself and feeling good. When he’s not making music, DJTR!P is teaching it – he works with people with disabilities, sharing tips on DJing. How good! He drops a new track at the start of every month: ‘Brut 303’ will join his mighty catalogue on May 1. Get sucked into this modern take on ’90s house music – and start your vacuum up!

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MOLLY ROCKET – GOD DAMN

‘God Damn’ is the word on Molly Rocket’s tongue in this punchy, energetic and surfy track. It sounds like it would feature on a noughties chick-flick album – a sound that feels related to American outfit N.E.R.D. And that’s the vibe the band were going for, confirms Molly Rocket's drummer Joseph. “I need to take my number off Facebook,” he quips. The 9am call was unexpected, as was the recording of this track. “Sometimes you have a moment, and it just clicks,” he says. Instrumentally, it’s so tight – the guitar and drums hit straight away in total synchronicity, and the vocals just scream ‘Sinead O’Connor’. You’d think they’ve played this track their whole life, though Joseph says it’s only been about 12 times. “We played it live once, but it sounded very different,” he explains. ‘God Damn’ is upbeat, catchy and addictive – no wonder some Adelaide gig-heads dub these guys as their favourite local band. It’s a fast-paced track – just how the outfit likes it! “We like playing fast. It’s more fun,” confirms Joseph. ‘God Damn’ is Molly Rocket’s first release for 2024.

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GERMEIN – ‘TELL YOURSELF YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL’

Germein are one of those bands who, despite industry pressures, always stay true to their style. Maybe that’s because it’s a band of three sisters -- a good way to keep each other grounded! ‘Tell Yourself You’re Beautiful’ is pure, holy and inspiring. It feels like a warm hug from someone who knows you. Vocalist Georgia sings, ‘Mumma says life can cut you so bad / only you can choose to be happy or sad,’ which is simply positive and helpful. The track has a sacred aura, which stems from their background performing in Adelaide Hills churches. The crisp harmonies hit hard and reach the highest of notes, aided by finger clicks which just work. The track features only guitar, bass and vocals – giving it a fluffy, light and comfortable feel. There’s some push and pull with the track’s sound, which only has us grasping for more! Self-love songs are sometimes cheesy – this one isn’t. It just feels really, really nice. Listen to ‘Tell Yourself You’re Beautiful’ if you need some light in your life.

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TOWNS – ‘BIRTHDAYS’

Seriously, this Adelaide duo NAIL the emo pop-punk genre and they only sound sharper with each release. ‘Birthdays’ is a peek inside the chaotic minds of Aston and Daniel – something which you will not get bored of. Expect to hear some AM radio microphone effects and TOWN’s signature coming-of-age lyrics. ‘Day by day / we push away the candles on our birthday cake’ is a line that’ll get stuck in your head. But hey, TOWNS always produce a catchy track. ‘Birthdays’ is the first single the two-piece has released since their 2022 EP, things you might feel sometimes. We reckon this is their way of saying ‘WE ARE BACK!’ because this song is the moment. TOWNS are a staple local band and have the humour to match. You may have heard them cracking jokes at last year’s Sickest 100, an online radio countdown dedicated to Adelaide music by Sound Sicks. Even through song, TOWNS will make you chuckle (we love how they rhyme hamstring, G-string and back-swing -- classic!). Keep an ear out for them, they’ll be around.

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PINE POINT – ‘PAPERBARK’

‘Been thinking about before, not thinking about you’ are lyrics in Pine Point’s ‘Paperbark’ that set the tone for this mystic, dream-like and saddening world of a song. Soft vocals are contrasted with raw, textural guitars, soft drums and violin. The song builds you up as you picture yourself slow dancing with a lost lover and brings you back down to earth with its yearning for what’s next. The line ‘Hold on a second / it only hurts again’ is sprung on us out of nowhere – eight weighty words that communicate how this pain really feels. You feel a sense of satisfaction when you finally hear the words of ‘Paperbark’ sung with a strength that matches the swell of this homegrown orchestra. It’s a mellow and subtle sound that feels right for a rainy day. ‘Paperbark’ is the penultimate track on Pine Point’s sophomore EP, Be Longing, released via Tom Matheson’s label Swirl Records (and he's also part of this outfit!). Make sure you set aside some time to savour the record's other four songs – the last lot that will be released by Pine Point for the foreseeable future. What a beautiful full stop to a back catalogue filled with heart and human experience.

Listen here.