This week brings a hefty serving of new tunes and albums, with a big handful of female-fronted talent delivering your weekend playlist. From hip-hop to alternative rock, there’s a little something for everyone hitting the airwaves today. Here is our pick of today’s releases so now all you have to do is wrap your ears around these tasty treats.
Janelle Monae – ‘Make Me Feel’ and ‘Django Jane’ (Wondaland Records)
Proving that two is indeed better than one, Janella Monae has gone and dropped two singles today from her upcoming album Dirty Computer. Coming in hot, ‘Make Me Feel’ is an electric, poppy effort and serious stuck-in-your-head-all-week material. With a message of empowerment and sex-positivity, it’s just an all ‘round good listen. Serving up a completely different sound, ‘Django Jane’ is bass-driven, taking a more typical hip-hop approach though dedicated to the similar message of feminism and empowering women of colour, yet served with much more hard-hitting lyricism. All up, Janelle Monae has served some heat with these tracks and Dirty Computer can’t come quick enough.
Underoath – ‘On My Teeth’ (Fearless Records/Caroline Australia)
Metalcore legends Underoath have emerged from the woods with their first track in eight years, ‘On My Teeth’. After keeping fans waiting almost a decade, the sextet has come back swinging, delivering the relentless sound that earnt them their success in full force. Driven by a thunderous drum beat and incredible vocals, these guys aren’t going to waste anyone’s time by half-assing their comeback album. We can expect to see Underoath’s new album ‘Erase Me’ in April this year though in the meantime ‘On My Teeth’ is the perfect pre-album snack and it’s certainly got our ears perked for what’s to follow.
Oscar Key Sung – ‘D.Y.T’ (Good Manners Records)
Oscar Key Sung has released what is sure to be an anthemic number with his new track ‘D.Y.T’. Displaying a swirling, cathartically rhymic melody and his signature silky smooth vocals, ‘D.Y.T’ is instantly addictive. With more new music from the solo artist scheduled to hit later this year, this single sets the bar high, though it’s a pretty safe bet Oscar Key Sung will be making some serious waves in 2018. The soulful track is something you’ll undoubtedly find yourself chucking on repeat and grooving along with all weekend long.
Augie March – Bootikins (Caroline Australia)
Back with their sixth studio album, Augie March have finally dropped the eagerly awaited Bootikins today. It’s been a while since we last heard from the home-grown outfit, with their last release Havens Dumb hitting the shelves four years ago. Bootikins provides everything that was promised with the release of the title track in early December and then some, the band admitting they took inspiration from the likes of Bowie and Queen, resulting in the eccentric, dramatic body of work they’ve presented. With everything from classic literature and history coming into play, Bootikins is finely tuned to the last detail and ‘The Heaviest Stone’ will undoubtedly be copping more than a few spins over the weeks to come.
Totally Mild – Her (Chapter Music)
An effort focusing on women, as well as exploring mental health issues, Her is an important album with a strong message. Juxtaposing dream pop soundscapes with bleak, poetic lyrics, Her is a mixed bag yet it works so well. Serving as Totally Mild’s sophomore album, Her is brimming with lush, polished melodies that are further enhanced by frontwoman Elizabeth Mitchell’s almost otherworldly vocals. A highly refined effort, Her is riddled with jangly, sparkling melodies that incite instant happiness such as that displayed on ‘Take Today’, before delving deeper with ballad-type efforts like ‘Lucky Stars’.
Sarah Blasko – Depth of Field (EMI)
Sarah Blasko’s latest album Depth of Field is here and it’s a searing reminder of why we all fell for her in the first place. Blasko has dropped three singles in the lead up to the album’s release, with the latest ‘Never Let Me Go’ coming in yesterday and serving a rhythmic, upbeat melody and, as always, Blasko’s incredible vocal range. The release comes on the back of the singer/songwriter revealing that she almost quit music altogether due to struggles with her mental health and, as a result, is full of emotional moments and intense lyrics. The multi-faceted record presents a range of moods and sounds, further proving the songstress’ incredibly diverse talent.
Kimbra – ‘Version of Me’ (Warner Bros Records)
After playing this track in her live shows, shakily recorded versions have been doing the rounds – with a mastered version of one of the live recordings even cropping up on Reddit – as fans desperately try to get their fix of the track. Finally, ‘Version of Me’ has dropped, revealing a stripped back ballad with a sweeping melody of keys and synth backing Kimbra’s soaring vocals. A soft, heartfelt effort, if ‘Version of Me’ is a glimpse at what is to come with the release of Kimbra’s forthcoming album Primal Heat, perhaps we can expect to see her moving in a slightly different direction.
Post Malone (featuring Ty Dolla $ign) – ‘Psycho’ (Republic Records)
With fans patiently awaiting the release of Post Malone’s forthcoming sophomore album, whose release has already been pushed back from its original due date of December 1, Post has at last given a taste of Beerbongs & Bentleys with the first single off the album, ‘Psycho’. Melding Post Malone’s crooning vocals with a rapped verse by Ty Dolla $ign, the single indicates we can expect the same sound that first earnt Post Malone his following and hints at the huge lineup of collaborations the album is set to feature. With a mellow beat and laidback vocals, the tune is super chill making it an easy listen.
