New songs from Bad//Dreems, Pool Toy, Twine, Bri Carter, Molly Rocket, Noasis and more.
May 30, 2023
Culture
Adelaide’s best new music
Alexander Flood — ‘Oscillate’
Drummer and percussionist Alexander Flood is Adelaide’s king of groove. His expansive awareness of different drum styles and rhythms from around the world culminate in a unique and dynamic listening experience. ‘Oscillate’ is the title track from his latest album, released this month. The addition of Hungarian producer and multi-instrumentalist Àbáse’s flute keeps this track fresh, perfectly contrasting the complex rhythms underneath. Flood can always be counted on to create a captivating mix of instruments and sounds. ‘Oscillate’ is a hypnotic excursion in rhythm. Catch Flood opening for Alfa Mist at the Burnside Ballroom on 2 June, courtesy of Porch Records. (SP)
Remarks
Listen to this playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
If you’re a South Australian band or musician with a new release, let us know about it.
Tonix — ‘Overflow’
Tonix’s ‘Overflow’ uses an innovative techno beat mixed with lead vocalist Samantha Keough’s powerhouse pipes to blend old and new music genres. ‘Overflow’ is part of Tonix’s new EP, titled When We Are, and is the second instalment in the four-part masterpiece. The band say the EP took them 14 months to produce and is a culmination of their multi-talented ability to deploy a few different instruments, while adding that techno touch. You can see Tonix at Soak at Lion Arts Factory on 2 June. (CD)
Leni — ‘COLD LOVE’
Leni’s smooth-like-honey voice is a sweet treat in this slow jam. Indigenous Chilean/Australian singer Leni is known for his fresh take on soul RnB. While some groove-heavy tracks can feel static, ‘COLD LOVE’ has plenty of movement as it grows towards a larger electronic moment and then lets Adelaide singer Kahl Wallis loose with a few verses. The layers of different voices create lush and rich harmonic moments the whole way through. The addition of Bon Iver-like auto-tuned and electronic effects at the song’s zenith gives it a new dimension. ‘COLD LOVE’ is Leni’s third release since his debut in 2020 and will bring the chillest of vibes to any scenario. See Leni open for TAIAHA at Jack & Jill’s Basement on 3 June. (SP)
Sons of Zöku — ‘Möönlight’
The next time you catch yourself awake early enough to see the soft blue light of the morning break through the frigid darkness, take a few deep breaths, rug up, move to wherever your sound system is located, and let ‘Möönlight’ bring you into a better day. The song opens in slow psychedelia, with flanging guitars and forested flute creating a plush and dewy soundscape. The pace picks up halfway through its nine minutes with the introduction of a funk groove that wouldn’t feel out of place on Lonerism. Once the compulsion to dance hits, it will stay with you until the song’s closing moments. (JVE)
Slowmango — ‘Blob Funk’
Although the lyrics for Slowmango’s ‘Blob Funk’ start one and a half minutes in, there is much to discuss in its accompanying video from the jump. The colourful and abstract cooking show is on brand for the innovative, jazzy group, which has ties to arts collective The Bait Fridge. While cooking spaghetti bolognaise(?), the band builds layers over funk beats. Saxophone is a prominent feature of the song, and works cohesively within mishmash of art and music the band is known for. (CD)
Theeves — ‘Casino’
Self-described on Unearthed as “what you get when you mix cheap suits, scotch and dance music”, there is a seething energy in ‘Casino’ obscured slightly by the cookie-cutter club lyrics: “She’s got a body in the back seat, and she’s got you on her mind”. Just like the first couple of house gins on a trashy night out are fun, the more intently you listen, the more likely the song is to curdle against your tastebuds. (JVE)
Bri Carter — ‘Lust’
Despite talking about the struggles of desire and being romantically drawn to just one person, Bri Carter wants to assure that her song ‘Lust’ is not about love on her terms: “Tell me how you’re the only one who benefits”. The moody track delves into the powerful ways sexual longing can affect a person, and the pain of heartbreak. (CD)
Twine — ‘My God’
Violin meets garage rock in this self-described ‘noisy band’. Do not let the light electric guitar and violin intro fool you – this will not be a gentle journey. It doesn’t take long for Twine to show glimpses of their heavy style. They alternate between softer verses and hard rock interludes. Twine relishes feedback and distortion sounds, and on ‘My God’ it builds towards a complete release of angst and drama, with battling guitars and intensifying drums. For fans of ’90s grunge, ‘My God’ hits the spot. Twine are currently touring the eastern seaboard, but they’ll be opening for VOIID on 17 June at the Crown & Anchor . (SP)
Bad//Dreems — ‘No Island’
For much of Bad//Dreems’ fourth long-player, Hoo Ha!, vocalist Ben Marwe is hidden behind a spitting, half-drunk façade, as in the opening track, ‘Waterfalls’: “I’m wonderful! Like Waterfalls!” This character-driven writing gives the album a conceptual feel, but there are a few moments of earnest and direct expression to be found, such as on ‘Jack’, which we listed in October last year, and this ballad. ‘No Island’ comes at the album’s halfway mark and is something of a palate cleanser. Marwe pines across an insurmountable distance – emotional or physical or both. (JVE)
Molly Rocket — ‘Bones (Don’t Dismiss)’
One of five tracks from Molly Rocket’s debut EP Syrup, ‘Bones (Don’t Dismiss)’ sees the band in full alternative rock form. If you’re into the indie-rock stylings of Spacey Jane, the easy-going yet track will have your heart wrenching for Adelaide’s alt scene. Molly Rocket are currently touring the East Coast with The Rions. (CD)
Noasis — ‘Walk On’
It’s not unheard of for a band or artist to parlay a gig covering someone else’s music into a career of their own. With Barry winding up this week, one can’t help but think of one-time James Brown impersonator Charles Bradley. It’s surely rarer for a band to do so while keeping their punny name, but Noasis is looking to pioneer the trend. ‘Walk On’ is the family band’s third original single and hews closer to The Stone Roses than their namesake, with a floor-filling beat and psych-rich guitar and vocal production. Lyrically, this is one for Trainspotting fans: “Jonny’s in the back, his soul’s preserved on crack, and he knows”. It’s a Britpop banger. Noasis is playing Hindley Street Music Hall on 14 July. (JVE)
Pool Toy — ‘Ride’
Lo-fi slacker soccer-rockers Pool Toy are yet another band this month to lean into spacier sounds, building a luscious landscape to lie in as they take you on a trip. Production is perhaps a tad higher than lo-fi on ‘Ride’, but there’s still dirt under the nails of this southern-suburbs four-piece. (JVE)
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