Jack Carty has left fans waiting since 2018 for a new single, but boy it’s worth the wait. “Why The Universe Expands” is a tender exploration of the way a new baby can make life so much fuller. I’m not into kids at all, but this song even makes my ovaries ache a little. It’s simply stunning.
“Why The Universe Expands” comes from Jack’s forthcoming EP The World, When It’s Sleeping, which will be released on April 24. He was scheduled to support Katie Noonan in May but those dates will be rescheduled for a post-COVID-19 time when the world looks a little brighter. Until then, take another listen to this one and let all the troubles of the world melt away.
If you’re falling victim to that midweek slump, never fear. SoSo’s debut single “The Henry Lawson Jive” is just the shot in the arm you need.
The Sydney pop-punk act might be brand new, but they’re already working with some of the industry’s best. The track was produced by Stevie Knight, who has worked with Stand Atlantic and Yours Truly, and mixed by James Paul Wisner, whose resume includes work with Paramore, Underoath, and Hands like Houses.
“The song is a throw-back to being a teenager; all the mischief and shit you’d get up to,” SoSo explained. “The chorus laments the fact that life is a bit of a shambles as an adult, but you kind of get through it by keeping your mates close. The name of the song ‘The Henry Lawson Jive’ is a pun of a street the 3 of us have walked way too many times, way too intoxicated, ‘The Henry Lawson Drive’.”
This track has so much energy, something tells me it’d be even better in the live arena. The band has had to postpone its single launch, but hopefully they can reschedule that soon!
I don’t know about you, but good music has helped me cope during lockdown. Sometimes I want quiet and calming, sometimes I feel like something that is funky AF. Today’s one of those days where the funk wins. Enter “DAMN!” the latest track from Melbourne-based, Tassie-bred multi-instrumentalist Zac Slater.
If this track doesn’t get you up and dancing in your quarantine cell, nothing will. While it’s a real toe-tapper, its introspective lyrics make it much more than just a bop.
“Personally, it’s a solid reflection of me, rough around the edges but I’ve got my soft spots inside. I’ll always help those who need it … and sometimes those people won’t help you back.”
“DAMN!” is the first cut from Zac’s forthcoming EP, set for release later this year.
Melbourne songstress Chevalier shows she’s got the goods with her new single “Scarlet Skies.” She might be an up-and-coming artist, but this dynamic track is brimming with confidence. It features some of the most accomplished vocals and intricate sounds that I’ve heard in some time.
Chevalier has spent the last five years touring locally and abroad as a back-up singer and vocal coach to her pal Ruel.
“I first met Ruel and his family when he was 12 and remember thinking he had the most incredible voice,” she explained. “I started working with him on his vocals, then soon after when the touring began, I started doing BVs for him and tutored him for his schoolwork also. I’ve felt like part of the VanDijk family ever since! It’s been a crazy and incredibly rewarding five years watching everything grow so exponentially.”
However, with songs like “Scarlet Skies” in her repertoire, I can’t imagine Chevalier will stay in the background for too much longer.
“My producer Allan McConnell sent through a rough idea of what ended up being the song and I just vibed with it straight away,” she recalled. “I remember first listening to it on my balcony in Fitzroy and the sky was a vibrant array of pink and red. I had just got back from a big tour with Ruel so I popped open a bottle of red, sat back in my egg chair and put the beat on loop. All the lyrics and melodies came out within about 30 minutes; it kind of felt like I was dreaming.”
While you can hear the influence of Jazmine Sullivan and Solange in this track, Chevalier says her biggest influence was her nana, Bette Chevalier. Her nana attended every ballet concert, singing performance, and piano recital with flowers for her beloved granddaughter. Sadly, she passed away while Chevalier was touring Europe with Ruel, but her last wish was for her daughter to continue the tour and keep performing. I think she’d be pretty proud of this special new single, don’t you?
Image used with permission from Ditto Music Australia
Like everyone on the planet, I got pretty excited about Sheppard when they burst onto the scene with “Geronimo.” My interest in the band fizzled a little with each subsequent release, but I think it’s back to its best form with the release of “Don’t Believe in Love.” It’s got a great electro-pop sound that feels so current. It gives such great vibes, but listen to the lyrics and you’ll hear some bite.
“Don’t Believe in Love is an ‘anti-love song,’” explained the band’s frontman, George Sheppard. “We’ve all been in that dark place where we feel like love is not made for us. When it doesn’t go right, love can hurt us like nothing else can, and this song is about those times where it just feels easier to build up those walls and never let love in rather than risk being hurt again.”
This is the first in a long line of new releases from Sheppard. The band plans to release a new song every month leading up to the release of a new album later this year.
Soulful Adelaide act Elsy Wameyo has followed up last year’s “Outcast” with the release of another strong, personal single, “Pastor.” The song effortlessly combines classic gospel influences with fresh urban sounds, ensuring it sounds modern, yet timeless. Its lyrics focus on two of Elsy’s biggest influences: faith and family.
“‘Pastor’ was written at a time where I felt defeated,” she admitted. “However, deep inside I knew that nothing could ever defeat the almighty. In life, there’s always going to be ups and downs but purpose will always prevail and that’s something that I was and am still sure of.”
She was set to play Sounds of Adelaide next month but that has been postponed. The new date is yet to be announced.
I’ve got a few guilty pleasures in my life. One of them is big torch ballads. Another is R’n’B from the 1990s. So the latest release from Greg Gould ticks all the boxes for me. He’s teamed up with X Factor UK finalist Peyton for a sensitive cover of Brandy and Monica’s smash “The Boy is Mine.”
Their reworking gives a new texture to the song which calls to light the bullying both artists faced in their youth. If you want something a little more upbeat, there are also three remixes on Spotify.
“I’ve always loved the song and wanted to create something unique and special, after Peyton dropped his vocals next to mine I knew we had just that,” Greg explained. “I’m really proud of this arrangement and how we flipped the narrative of the lyrics to really express something important to both of us. Sharing our personal history being bullied in this video was an emotional, yet cathartic experience for both Peyton and myself … oh and hand this woman an Oscar – Lynne McGranger is so incredible in this!”
If you love this as much as I do, you’ll be thrilled to hear there’s more where that came from. In fact, Greg has recorded a whole album of ‘90s bangers, 1998, which is due for release on April 17. It features collaborations with some of the nation’s best and brightest including Tania Doko, Damien Leith, Rhonda Burchmore, Cosima De Vito, and Mark Gable. Profits from this single and the album will benefit the Olivia Newtown-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre. It’s a powerful gesture that remembers Greg’s step-mother Sharon, who lost her own battle with cancer two years ago.
Image used with permission from AAA Entertainment
I’m not quite where I was when Aussie expat Sam Fischer dropped his track “This City” last year, but I’m glad the remix didn’t pass me. This fresh new take, remixed by Luca Shreiner, might be my favourite version. I usually prefer hearing songs in their simplest form, but the beats really add some depth to “This City.” I’m vibing it.
He’s not a household name yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Sam supported Lewis Capaldi on his North American tour which put this track all over Tik Tok.
Now I think it’s time people older than my niece knew about it though. Are you feeling it?
After getting the sad news that Dave Matthews Band is the latest act in a long line of cancelled shows for me, I needed a bit of a pick-me-up today. Enter The Lulu Raes with a catchy new single “Can’t Run No More.”
This track has such a fun folky feel to it. If you loved The Lemonheads or The Shins, I think it’ll be right up your alley.
“’Can’t Run No More’ is about loving a person, but not being able to talk about it or fully comprehend the feelings, because the person is just one of those individuals who work so hard, accomplishes everything and seems a cut above regular people,” the band explained.
The Lulu Raes is scheduled to play shows at The Grace Darling in Melbourne on April 17 and the Lansdowne Hotel in Sydney on April 24 at this stage. However, in these crazy times make sure you watch The Lulu Raes Facebook page a little closer to the date to check whether they will go ahead.
I’m sure most of us can agree that life is a bit shitty at the moment. Those concert cancellations are coming left and right, and while we understand that they might be for our own good they’re bitter pills to swallow. Social distancing is tough, but thankfully there is some great music to get us through. The latest to catch my ear is “Two Shoes,” the debut single from Sydney indie rockers Locked in Lummo.
This track is so catchy, full of irresistible hooks and introspective lyrics. I love the way the synth works with the driving drumbeats. Hayden Smith’s voice can also seem to do absolutely anything. That falsetto is flawless!
“It’s about getting to 23 and not being where I thought I’d be in life,” he explained, “watching my friends get ‘real jobs’, and being sick of doing the same thing every day.
“The lyrics in the song are personal and raw, and I chose to write about ordinary parts of my every day that I think most people also experience,” he says. “It’s the first song I’ve been proud of writing because it’s honest and authentic to what message I was trying to convey. Ultimately, it’s about feeling spread too thin, and how that takes its toll on the things you are trying to achieve.”
They’ve got a couple of upcoming shows which will hopefully still go ahead. Follow Locked in Lummos’ Facebook page to see if the situation changes though!
27 March 2020 – Miranda Hotel, Miranda
9 April 2020 – Hideaway Bar, Enmore
