Gorillaz – Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez

Our favourite animated band have finally released their long-awaited collection of collaborative tracks. Gorillaz have been building to the release of this compilation since the first single was unveiled back in January. With each new offering, excitement grew. Now that it’s here, it delivers on the hype with a diverse collection of bright, eclectic art-pop.

Gorillaz balance their iconic blend of influences perfectly with each guest. Everyone from Elton John to Beck, Schoolboy Q to Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and St. Vincent to Robert Smith appears across the tracklist, and yet Damon Alburn manages to be the standout voice throughout.

Just like the band’s best albums, Song Machine, Season One is a trip down the rabbit hole into the wonderful world of the Gorillaz.

8.2

GORILLAZ

SONG MACHINE, SEASON ONE: STRANGE TIMEZ

Tiny Little Houses – Richard Cory

Nearly three years on from their debut album Idiot Proverbs, Tiny Little Houses return with a track full of detailed storytelling and emotional weight. Richard Cory is a blunt confrontation of mental illness. It starts subtle and subdued but builds to a heart-wrenching climax.

Throughout the song, the band are channelling their indie-rock and emo influences, calling back to American Football, La Dispute, and Nirvana. The track serves as a brilliant return for the Melbourne band.

8.5

TINY LITTLE HOUSES

RICHARD CORY

Eliza & The Delusionals – Sentimental 

After setting the world on fire with their EP A State of Living In An Object Reality, Eliza & The Delusional have released another dreamy alt-rock anthem.

Sentimental is a fitting title, as the track’s shimmery production and Eliza’s impassioned vocals create a warm sense of nostalgia. The band nail the sound of sunny heartbreak, creating a sombre but hopeful aesthetic, and folding in elements of alt-rock to provide a boost of energy.

7.5

ELIZA & THE DELUSIONALS

SENTIMENTAL

King Princess – Only Time Makes It Human 

Brooklyn-born alt-pop star King Princess has returned with a new single, Only Time Makes It Human. Produced by herself, alongside regular collaborator Mike Malchicoff and Mark Ronson, the ’80s infused dance anthem drips with queer longing – and seemingly hints at a slick new sonic direction.

8.7

KING PRINCESS

ONLY TIME MAKES IT HUMAN

Adrianne Lenker – songs and instrumentals

Lenker’s latest solo adventure was born out of a cabin-in-the-woods setting, resulting in two albums: songs and instrumentals. Both are a celebration of comforting time spent in isolation – an enticing withdrawal from the big bad world, which is lonely and self-reflective at the same time.

If Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon pioneered the intertwinement of sound and solitude on For Emma, Forever Ago, Adrianne Lenker has captured intramural isolation at a time when it’s soaring within all of us, more than ever before.

Check out our full review here.

8.9

ADRIANNE LENKER

SONGS AND INSTRUMENTALS

Memphis LK – Letters In Concrete

In what is arguably her best work yet, rising Melbourne/Naarm-based singer, producer, and DJ, Memphis LK has returned with her latest offering. Encasing tender emotion within the precise confines of electro beats, Letters in Concrete finds the sweet spot in Memphis LK’s burgeoning landscape of magnetically introspective club music.

8.2

MEMPHIS LK

LETTERS IN CONCRETE

Viagra Boys – Ain’t Nice

Contrary to its name, Viagra Boys’ latest single is very, very nice. Dripping with attitude and crunch to boot, Ain’t Nice bites you right where it feels good – and the accompanying video clip only sweetens the deal.

The Swedish post-punks have also just announced an upcoming album, Welfare Jazz, which is due for release early next year.

8.3

VIAGRA BOYS

AIN’T NICE

Arlo Parks – Green Eyes

British singer, poet, and multi-talented heroine Arlo Parks has released her cruisy new single, Green Eyes. Featuring Clairo on backing vocals and guitar, the track is 3 minutes and 17 seconds of pure bliss, wandering in the plains between R&B and lo-fi guitar pop, in an effort only to make the listener feel at ease.

7.9

ARLO PARKS

GREEN EYES