NOV 10 - NOTEWORTHY NEW RELEASES
Adelaide’s music scene keeps pumping. Here’s what’s fresh from King Jeff and the How Are Yous, Mum Thinks Blue, West Theb, Los Leo and Stormy Lou…
STORMY LOU - IMPULSIVITY
Local four-piece band, Stormy Lou, has just dropped their latest track and accompanying clip, and it's already making waves in the music scene. They’ve just reached the pinnacle for any up-and-coming act, as their new clip has been featured on Rage.
The song delves into the experiences of living with ADHD, a topic that is becoming ever-prevalent in our modern digital age. We didn’t quite understand where the corporate owl fit’s into the story, but I guess that’s an accurate reflection of life with ADHD. Stormy Lou's latest release highlights their musical growth, featuring layered elements in the chorus and showcasing their tight-knit band chemistry. This track is a testament to their evolving sound and creative prowess.
WEST THEBARTON - MONGREL
West Thebarton have launched ‘Desire’ with the announcement of their upcoming album, 'Mongrel Australia,' scheduled for March 2024. This album follows their 2018 debut, 'Different Beings Being Different.' We have had a recent taste of what’s to come with their recent EP ‘Victory’, featuring ‘George Michael’.
“Desire is the pull of the coast, the craving of passion and a feeling of irresistible release when you separate yourself from the world for a split second and escape,” says Ray Dalfsen. “I wrote it while reimagining a moment in time, being alone with the person you love, and life stops in its tracks. It might brew a lil milder than what you’re used to but it’s not a ‘fuck you’ to pub rock, more like a ‘keep the light on, I’ve gotta get away for a second, but I’ll be back soon.’”
Although it may lean slightly towards a mellower vibe for West Thebarton, it still delivers a punch that outshines the majority of bands across Australia.
West Thebarton will be playing CryBaby Fest later this month, with a National Tour to come in 2024 to support the album release.
KING JEFF & THE HOW ARE YOU’S - MOON LANDING (ALBUM)
The South Coast 6-piece , King Jeff & The How Are You’s, have dropped their debut album and it's a cracker. The lead single ‘Spinning Cactus’ was released earlier this year which served as a glimpse of the band’s growth since their debut LP, 'Good Thanks.'
The album kicks off with the opening track, "Ticking Over," featuring riffs that harken back to the early Strokes era. "CBK," blends melodic guitar licks with trumpets, adding an unexpected but delightful layer of complexity. "Jeff Jam 2" even spices things up with a touch of hip-hop, creating a fusion that exudes a vibe reminiscent of Sticky Fingers (the Aussie band, not the Stones album). The album shows a dynamic blend of styles, but it keeps the listener entertained right up until the end with ‘Kingfish Cowboy’. In true King Jeff fashion, you can imagine it being sung over a few beers after a surf.
While the new and improved King Jeff may have shed some of its rapscallion charm, this transformation marks a welcome shift toward taking the band to the next level. They've transitioned from a bunch of dudes having a jam (with surprisingly good results) to a sleek, high-quality ensemble that would easily fit in on most festival line-ups.
MUM THINKS BLUE — MR. NICE GUY
Freshly-minted South Australian Music Award winner Mum Thinks Blue shows us exactly why they took out People’s Choice for Soul/Funk at this year’s ceremony in their latest single ‘Mr. Nice Guy’. In three fast-paced minutes, this boppy track gets you grooving with a certain funk that arrives from Hannah Young’s smooth saxophone skills and Josh Thomas’ impeccable drumbeat. It’s an infectiously fun song and, despite the emotionally-charged, romance-orientated lyrics, it leaves you in a glowingly good mood.
LOS LEO — LE POP
The name of Los Leo’s title track manages to capture all our thoughts and feelings about his latest album: ‘<3’. Sounding like the Music for Cars era of The 1975, LP Le Pop unearths this beautiful bedroom pop sound with notes of ’80s disco revival. “Film, LA [and] Hollywood have always been an integral part of pop culture,” the artist says. “I tried to reflect this essence on this EP, through the lyrics, melodies, artwork and even the overall flow of the tracks.”
In 22 sweet minutes, Le Pop wriggles inside your brain and taps into all your memories with incredible talent. We’re not scientifically sure how Los Leo has such a knack for nailing feelings of nostalgia, but we’re bloody glad he can and does through his music.
