STACK Template

100 / 101

Angus & Julia Stone Snow
We were digging Angus Stone's Dope Lemon
detour, but you can't deny he makes his most
candid music when the reins are shared with
sister Julia. The siblings will release Snow on
September 15 through EMI, and that primo
spot on the ARIA chart is looking likely.
Odesza A Moment Apart
Regina Spektor, RY X and Leon Bridges are
all featured guests on A Moment Apart, the
upcoming third album by atmospheric electronic
duo Odesza. Expect wide soundscapes, eclectic
instrumentation, and delicate details from this
LP, due out September 8 via Ninja Tune/Inertia.
Foo Fighters Concrete And Gold
Next month is a jumbo one for the Fooeys; not
only do they release their ninth album Concrete
And Gold, they'll be gearing up for their giant
self-curated festival CAL JAM '17, at which
they'll perform along with 22 of their favourite
bands. I don't want to alarm you, but did you
know we're giving away flights, accom and
two tickets to the event? Pre-order Concrete
And Gold and you go into the draw – check out for all the
details. Concrete And Gold is out September 15 via Sony.
26 AUGUST 2017
visit MUSIC REVIEWS
Ghostpoet
Dark Days & Canapés
Three seconds in and already the
mood is clear. A wordless cry, close
clattering drums, subterranean chords
and faint sonar signals: this is uneasy,
compelling listening. Ghostpoets’
fourth album follows the Mercury
Prize-nominated Shedding Skin
of 2015, and is marked by a more
experimental rock and guitar-based
sound than earlier beat-based records.
Ghostpoet’s abundant energy and
insight continue to shine, sharper
and clearer than ever: like a single
point of light in a darkened room you
can’t look away from. And if you were
in any doubt about the album title,
Ghostpoet makes it clear the focus is
on our present tense. Songs are filled
with humour and horror, and solace.
In his own words: “I want people to
listen to the songs and be able to say,
‘So it isn’t just me then? Phew”. It’s
a relief indeed to have albums this
good, in times when we need them.
(PIAS/Inertia) SimonWinkler
Susanne Sundfør
Music For People In Trouble
The new album from Norweigan
singer-songwriter Sundfør is a great
gift. According to an old Russian
proverb, if you wake up feeling
no pain, you know you're dead.
We’re all in trouble and this album
is for anyone who ever formed the
smallest attachment to another
human and later had their heart
placed in a bin. Susanne spent a
lot of time over the last few years
crossing continents “from North
Korea to the Amazon jungle”,
reflecting on the changes and
anxieties she observed, the shared
emotional trauma. These songs are
classic, consoling, lovelorn ballads
in the tradition of country and
folk singers such as Dolly Parton,
Nick Drake, Cat Power, but with
a distinctive delivery and unique
musical arrangements. (Bella Union/
PIAS/Inertia) SimonWinkler
Son Little New Magic
Philadelphian rhythm and blues prince (and
real life son of a preacher man), Son Little, is
releasing his second full-length through ANTI-
on September 15. Fans of Leon Bridges and
Sharon Jones are going to adore this record, for
which the musician found inspiration during his
stay in Australia's Northern Territory – he even
wrote a bunch of the tracks on a guitar he borrowed from Gurrumul.
The National Sleep Well Beast
There's no bad time to get into The National,
so even if you aren't already a fan, don't be
overwhelmed to hear this is their seventh
album. The Cincinatti indie-rock five-piece is
captained by baritone Matt Berninger, and
all signs point to this LP as another intuitive
depiction of the frontman's vision. It's due out
September 8 via 4AD/Remote Control.
ALVVAYS Antisocialites
Molly Rankin and her dreamy mob are
poised to release Antisocialites via Inertia on
September 8. The Canadian group are loved
for their charming, disarming, heart-crushing
indie-pop, and Rankin's lyrics are always an
insightful and witty treat.
Mura Masa Mura Masa
Emerging from his quiet bedroom on
the British island of Guernsey, Alex
Crossan takes his stage name from
famous samurai Muramasa – the first
sign of the worldly ambitions of this
21-year-old. Mura Masa is in 2027
already, his tunes wiggling between
trap, EDM, pop and Caribbean
dancehall. These influences come
through on Nuggets ’ funk-driven, late
night, tropicana disco beats (featuring
the seriously underrated Bonzai),
the wavy steeldrum on 1 Night with
Charli XCX, and helpline's chunky,
synth-dipped bassline. Sure, there
are times when Crossan loses his
identity to his vocal guests (Desiigner
on All Around The World) but this
happens to the most seasoned
professionals – Calvin Harris’ Funk
Wav Vol. 1 anyone? But overall, Mura
Masa is a success – for Crossan
and for every bedroom producer out
there. (Universal) Tim Lambert
Gold Class Drum
Gold Class’ sound has a savagery
to it that is strangely soothing,
making it perfect to drown out
unwanted thoughts. Lead singer
Adam Curley’s vocals soar above
the band’s unrelenting and fierce
instrumentation, shooting straight
out of the cannon with singles Twist
In The Dark and Rose Blind. Both
Trouble Fun and Bully are darkly
seductive, punctuated by expert
flourishes from guitarist Evan
Purdey and a pounding backbeat
from the rhythm section. We Were
Never Much sees Curley’s vocals
turning frantic while the calming
Mercurian follows. With Drum, Gold
Class prove that creating one of the
best Australian post-punk albums –
their debut It’s You (2015) – was no
fluke; they've once again translated
their intent into powerful noise.
(Remote Control)
Holly Pereira
COMING UP Here're a few gems you can expect from the
music stork next month.
st154_075_REVIEWS_MUSIC_04.indd 1 21/7/17 4:06 pm