STACK #158 Dec 2017

MUSIC REVIEWS

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The Corrs Jupiter Calling

Guy Sebastian Conscious Our Guy’s voice is genuinely chill-inducing. There’s an impression that Sebastian (and most of Australia’s pop offerings) have lagged behind their overseas contemporaries – but while Sebastian might not have the hits of Bruno Mars or Ed Sheeran, his talent clearly rivals. On Conscious , he backs it up with some curious but effective partners: hip hop producer M-Phazes, Sheeran/1D collaborator Fiona Bevan, Gypsy & the Cat’s Lionel Towers, Demi Lovato/Fifth Harmony co-writer Taylor Parks, and more. The confluence of those flavours positions Guy as nu-Weeknd for the Big Day Out crowd (#RIP). Pop even the antis can’t deny. (Sony) Jake Cleland

These Irish siblings make even a 55-minute record sound like a breeze. The delicate Celtic folk of single Chasing Shadows (with its sadgrrl Twitter-perfect chorus), the plucky empowerment of Bulletproof , and the ballady Road to Eden play fairly straight; Butter Flutter brings some alt-rock wah- wah strut, and listening to the second half of the record – full of sweeping cinematic moments – it’s easy to forget this isn’t an OST. The big ticket message song is SOS (Song of Syria), coming out of the gate swinging with “There’s pain on the border as far as the eyes can’t see / And Hell’s getting busy while we’re in the cheap seats.” Political without the pandering. (Warner) Jake Cleland Pete Tong, The Heritage Orchestra and Jules Buckley Pete Tong Ibiza Classics Back in 1991, Pete Tong’s BBC Radio One show Essential Selection introduced a nation of fresh-eared kids to new DJs and different styles of house music. Ravers found an institution at 7:30pm every Friday night, as they pulled on their dungarees and floppy hats ready for a night/

Taylor Swift Reputation

Swift is that friend who will turn you not getting her a drink when you go to the bar into a friendship-ending cataclysm, and while that’s stretched patience among tabloid readers, it’s exactly what makes for a great pop album. Reputation isn’t the self- and

scandal-obsessed record Look What You Made Me Do suggested, but it is reflective. Rather than double down on the conceitedness that made much of 1989 so delicious, Swift is more pensive here. The room she’s given herself makes for some of her sharpest lyricism yet ("I bury hatchets but I keep maps of where I put 'em") and Yeezus comparisons aside, it also sports the most adventurous production she’s yet played with. Everyone ought to hear it – especially the haters. (Universal) Jake Cleland

Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues You’ll have heard bits of Maroon 5’s new album Red Pill Blues on the wireless – What Lovers Do and Cold are already fan faves thanks to their catchy hooks – and we’re here to tell you they're accurate omens for the rest of the record's bouncy feel. It’s quintessential, loved-up, heartbroken Maroon 5 at its best, with SZA and A$AP Rocky making the guest vocalist cut. Our pick of the bunch is Lunchmoney Lewis on Who I Am , which leaves you wondering why Adam Levine hasn't collabed with Lewis and his punchy rhythms before. The other indisputable standout is Denim Jacket , which proves Red Pill Blues still retains that brooding Maroon 5 essence and infuses it with modern pop beats while making sure Adam Levine’s godly vocals remain at the heart of the brew. (Universal) Alesha Kolbe

Sia Everyday Is Christmas There aren’t many vocalists who can sing “ho ho ho” as convincingly as Sia – her cutesy diction actually lends itself perfectly to the Toy Town aesthetic of this collection of Christmas originals – plus, they’re so full of festive hallmarks (tubular bells, jingle bells, glockenspiel) that it doesn’t matter one bit you don’t know the words. There’s all the doo-wop you can handle plus several ballads (she serenades a literal snowman in Snowman ), but the best one has slide whistles, smashing glass, and that tinkling sound when a cartoon character tip-toes, and it’s all about boozing it up with your weird mates. It’s called Ho Ho Ho . (Warner) Zoë Radas

weekend of dancing. Twenty-six years on and the groundbreaking British DJ is offering a completely unique and magical combination of classical orchestral instruments and iconic dance tracks spanning the last 30 years, on Pete Tong Ibiza Classics . The 65-piece orchestra transforms the album’s opening instrumental track, Rob Dougan’s 1995 Clubbed To Death , originally featured in The Matrix movie; soft strings force a surge of emotion as your eyes inadvertently close and your hands gently begin to wave as if you were conductor Jules Buckley. As with all 15 compositions, Adamski’s Killer (featuring Seal) has you constantly guessing which instruments are being used to imitate the song’s original electronic sound… the sound that was initially created to mimic the instrument (“we’ve gone full circle, guys”). The album’s final

masterpiece, You’ve Got The Love , is a stunning and emotional finisher, featuring vocals from 77-year- old Candi Stanton – the original artist from the 1986 single that was remixed by The Source and re-released in 1991 for ravers. A perfect end to this nostalgic, impressive and educational journey. (Universal) Sally Carlier-Hull

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DECEMBER 2017

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