Deafen County

There’s no point in attempting to detail how weird of a year 2016 was, worldwide.  Creatively we lost some of the very best, and politically some of the worst soaked up the limelight. It was a real drainer at times. Thankfully, the soundtrack to accompany it was quite the opposite. 

Down south aka down under, there were some super impressive releases from both emerging and established artists alike. This playlist is a mix of both. 

Standout albums came from Jagwar Ma, GUM, Julia Jacklin and Gabriella Cohen - who were all on heavy rotation in 2016. Our favourite EP award’s go to MOSSY and Morning TV.  Whatever you’re into, be sure to give these 35 tracks a little listen and suss out who’ll be filling our ears in 2017.

This week we put together a playlist for all occasions. Filled with some of the best female talent floating around at the moment, it’s a mix of gritty guitar, sultry vocals, atmospheric beats, sass, and pure lyrical conviction. 

There’s a few old favourites in there aka Warpaint and Angel Olsen, both with new releases and the ability to do no wrong. There’s several emerging Australian artists who have huge potential including Julia Jacklin (who’s already smashing it on an international scale), Gabriella Cohen, BUOY, and bands feat. glorious female vocals Major Leagues and Morning TV. Then there’s the unique sounds of Dream Wife (see photo above), ultimate lady crush Miya Folick and many more.

There’s a few badass boys floating around throughout - but it’s more about hearing the world from a ladies point of view.

Looking for an ideal way to ease into the week? Look no further than Austin duo, Hovvdy. This week in particular, since they just released their debut album Taster on Friday (15th April). 

Today’s hint of magic comes in the form of ‘Meg’ - a laidback relaxant that’s bound to hit you in the feels. The very opening vocal that screeches ‘Meg’ momentarily possesses similarities to that of Daniel Johnston. The vulnerable vocals that draw you in quickly meld into something a little smoother.

The lo-fi approach is pure and simple and it’ll have you hooked in just two and a half minutes. Taster is out now via Sports Day Records and Merderhaus Records. 

If you’ve heard of Melbourne outfit The Furrs, then you may well be familiar with their frontwoman, Gabriella Cohen. And if not, then her solo project is one you need to get your ears around. 

Stepping out, in style, today’s hit of Monday Magic is taken from Cohen’s debut solo record Full Closure And No Details. Although we recommend the album should be listened to in its entirety, if you had to listen to one song then it should be this beautiful bout of slacker rock - ‘Downtown’.

Both dark and pretty, its warm 60s inspired harmonies float behind her sharp vocal tone. It’s bluesy, it’s steezey and it’s waiting for you to press play:

Sometimes a band gets that fine line between repetition and repetitive just right. Repetition of course being a fine formula for musical success, if you nail it that is. New emerging act out of Glasgow, The Lapelles have done exactly that - nailed it. 

They’ve just released the video for ‘Snakehips’, an incredibly catchy track that’s lead by one very energetic guitar riff. There’s a quiet confidence in the vocals that tells me these guys might be sticking around for a while. Definitely one to check out live.

Check out the video below:

Brisbane has been brewing one very special little music community in recent years. The latest breath of fresh air comes in the form of three-piece Post Dream.

It’s a track named ‘Cold Alone, Cold Together’, and it’s sure to hit you right in the feels. Lead by piano, the warm vocals slowly enter as the soft drums brush away in the background. The repetitive yet subtle guitar adds some depth, while the supporting female vocals help to tell a dark yet intriguing story.

This year was different to last; there was no particular album that consumed me from start to end. Tame Impala's 'Currents' came close - with every listen each song took on new meaning, it was a real 'grower'. Yet I still kept finding myself returning to one song, "The Less I Know The Better".

It was the same with Majical Cloudz - constantly on repeat was "Downtown". Likewise with Viet Cong, the twists and turns of "Silhouettes" became all consuming, rather than the entire album itself.

Overall, there were a lot of great albums and a lot of incredible songs. Whatever way you like to consume your music, these were the 15 albums we believe you need to listen to. In no particular order:

FUZZ - II

U.S. GIRLS - Half Free

FLOATING POINTS - Elaenia

DRENGE - Undertow

VIET CONG - Viet Cong

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA - Multi-Love

GIRL BAND - Holding Hands With Jamie

LA PRIEST - Inji

TAME IMPALA - Currents

JACKSON BOONE - Natural Changes

BEACH HOUSE - Depression Cherry

GANG OF YOUTHS - The Positions

MAJICAL CLOUDZ - Are You Alone?

SAUNA YOUTH - Distractions

October's playlist is a little shorter than normal, but that doesn't mean it lacks quality.

There's a few points that need to be made clear:

MAJICAL CLOUDZ - Are You Alone? is one of the most beautiful albums I've heard all year. It's dark, heavy and at times depressing, but it's natural ability to exude peace and positivity as well is akin to The National. It's a strange concept but it's a magical one too; pure bliss.

James Supercave who released is debut EP 'The Afternoon' last year, has returned with a new single. The release was also accompanied with the news of a debut LP early 2016.

Here's a playlist of the best songs we stumbled across in July. There were a lot of great tracks but a standout was from Jackson Boone. Hailing from Portland, he creates a continuous swirl of psychedelia that sucks you in deep.

Something tells me that May was all about jangly guitars and upbeat grooves. It got a little heavy at times, and ended up a dream. Whatever happened, it was a good month for new music. Get your ears around this playlist - summer is upon us.

Watch Broncho perform a great set for KEXP. Nice to see some ladies getting gritty with the boys too. They play Scala with The Districts next week (Tuesday 28th April).

Wool - Love, Love, Love, Love, Love (1969)