BANFF x CAITLIN PARK: My Love, My Lover
I really dug Caitlin Park’s 2014 LP The Sleeper. Here she teams up with Brissie artist Banff for a fairly straightforward exercise in dreamy folk, largely stripped of the inventive electronica flourishes that coloured The Sleeper. Still, it stands true with its fundamentals, not pushing the boundaries, but there’s nothing to rub the wrong way here.
THE RUBENS: Cut Me Loose
I was expecting this to be a huge snoozefest because The Rubens have about as much personality as a vegan reuben sandwich, but this is kind of listenable if you squint your ears a bit. There’s a bit of grit in the guitar tone, the simple melodies do their job, the chorus is simple. Everything is simple. I guess what I’m trying to say is, this is competent mediocrity but I could live my life very happy if I never heard it again.
KVELERTAK: Nattesferd
These riffs are fucking shameless, and I shamelessly love it. It starts off ridiculous, and only gets more fucken gnarly. It’s a high speed chase mixed with pugilist beauty. It’s all ‘80s excess, and by the time the acoustic breakdown hits you’re already knocked to the ground.
PETER GARRETT: Tall Trees
One sure way to make sure no one gives a shit about your solo debut is to announce that you’re well-loved band is reuniting. Shame, because this is all right. It’s a bit Dumb Things, lots of character. The whole “I’m back” pathos is a bit corny though. Bring on the Oils reunion.
CHANCE THE RAPPER FEAT. LIL WAYNE & 2 CHAINZ: No Problem
Taken from Coloring Book, No Problem is the best thing Wayne or 2 Chainz have been a part of in eons, riding some early Yeezy-style gospel samples. Chance rides the hook hard, but it works. It’s such a good time, Tity Boi even gets a pass for “Run shit like diarrhea”.
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
RAINBOW CHAN: Last
Stringing together solid tracks in the lead-up to her debut album, Rainbow Chan hits the mark with some powerful production on Last. It’s a disjointed banger, going in deep with sheer disregard for inhibition on the multi-layered concoction of dancefloor heat. It’s a dizzy kind of thrilling that keeps you coming back for more.
