Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years, then you would be well and truly aware that Australia is making an absolute killing in the modern electronic music industry. With the likes of RUFUS, Touch Sensitive, Wave Racer, Flume, Motez and the more recent addition of Akouo (plus a million more) in the Ivy League of modern Australian producers, it’s hard not to feel sorry for the rest of the world.
Those of you who bow down to the tidal wave of power that is Australian electronic music, have a listen to local dude Akouo.
Spending many of his previous years making hip-hop beats for rappers (including Perth artist Coin Banks), it’s kind of hard to believe that Tasmanian native Ryan Farrington or Akouo (pronounced ‘ah-koo-oh’) only emerged as a live solo act in June 2013.
Since then, Akouo has played alongside the likes of Mr Carmack, Flying Lotus and Bag Raiders, in addition to creating stellar mixes of Childish Gambino, AlunaGeorge and Sampha. Akouo’s sound is as many parts distinctive as it is eclectic. More recently and more importantly though, Akouo has released his most recent work on the Mesa EP, which just happened to debut at number one on the national electronic music charts on iTunes.
Admittedly, I first came across Akouo only a few months ago when I heard his mix of Thief’s Closer. After hearing it, loving it, and probably overplaying it (not even sorry friends), I was stoked to see Akouo’s name announced as a supporting act for fellow electronic gods SAFIA.
A few Saturdays ago, I found myself at a gig in the city, waiting patiently for SAFIA to come on stage. As soon as Akouo began his set – it was as if the whole room full of people stopped dead in their tracks.
Every single set of eyes and ears were completely magnetised and set upon this cool, cap wearing, blonde, bearded dude behind the decks. As well as being the most energetic set I’ve seen in my life, Akouo’s vibe was infectious and the music was fucking brilliant. He had the whole room moving. Possible contender for new favourite artist? I think so.
Akouo’s hip-hop influences are prevalent in all four tracks of his Mesa EP, and synthesize perfectly with the many layers of electronic bliss. While I’m finding it difficult to choose the right words to describe Akouo’s sound because it is literally that damn good, it can definitely be said that it’s futuristic, juicy, and totally game changing. Akouo’s remixes are available for free via his Facebook page (legend) and the Mesa is ready for your enjoyment on iTunes. It will be the best $5.49 you’ve ever spent. Guaranteed.
FIND OUT MORE ON
▲ FACEBOOK ▲ SOUNDCLOUD
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/39180402″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_artwork=true&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
