STACK Aug #154

MUSIC REVIEWS

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Ghostpoet Dark Days & Canapés

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

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

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

COMING UP

Here're a few gems you can expect from the music stork next month.

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

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.

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.

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 stack.com.au for all the details. Concrete And Gold is out September 15 via Sony.

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.

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AUGUST 2017

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21/7/17 4:06 pm