Blue Volume is the Melbourne MC’s second solo album, and it’s an impressive collection that reaches the heights of his best work with TZU. Say I’m Good opens with a gutsy bass riff, and plays as a raw political protest. Bringing a Santigold-flavour to the track are none other than the Victorian Roller Derby girls. Connect starts like an early Regurgitator song, then splices grunge riffs with the vocals of local singer Ecca Vandal. Unfortunately, the chorus isn’t as catchy as they’d hoped.
Everyone Everything is a futuristic anthem, along with electric chords and heavy synth drums. Everything’s great until the auto-tune rant at the end. Why do artists think auto-tuned vocals will ever improve a song? They won’t. They never will.
In the Morning goes back to the golden age of hip hop, starting with a simple piano backing and building the tempo gradually. However, it never erupts in the instrumental climax you’re hoping for.
Nostromo is an interesting collaboration with The Smith Street Band’s Wil Wagner. The vocals are harsh and dry, but it suits the song well. In comparison, Out of the Blue is very simple, subdued and beautifully unexpected. With the soft and soulful backing of Kaity Dunstan, this is easily the best on the album.
Fly Away starts with old school percussion and is picked up by a summer-sounding guitar strum. It’s nice but a little too safe for the usually-outspoken artist.
The clapping behind Bang the Boogie sounds a lot like TZU’s Mondays, but is saved by a fun chorus and lyrical structure. The instrumentals of Easy Go are best described as progressive urban rock – held together by the emotional vocal effects of Madeleine Paige. How Many People doesn’t pack the same punch, with a heavy synthesised backing that’s hard to enjoy. It’s saved by some creative storytelling.
Not In My Name is another political message that will probably go unheard by most due to the rather slow nature of the song. The strings and country-hymn vocals add a nice touch.
Much like the previous track Easy Go, the instrumentals behind Care Anymore are heavily influenced by progressive ‘90s bands like Massive Attack. While they’re complemented by his creative wordplay, Joelistics’ incredible compositions would still be impressive on their own.
BY CHRIS BRIGHT
Best Track: Out of the Blue
If You Liked These, You’ll Love This: TZU, SETH SENTRY, MASSIVE ATTACK
In A Word: Velocious
