VanShe ~ Strangers:
Oh this is very good indeed. A plunking bass guitar leads into glockenspiel-esque sounds and then the hypnotic voice kicks in with the brilliant opening line "You can blind me with your fosse lips". Like every good pop song, it just keeps getting better until the chorus kicks in and then you are in heaven. The vocal just glides around the music and the punchy beat evokes memories of hazy nights in a smokey nightclub. It is all quite glorious - the electric guitar in the middle 8 and the fuzzy vocal effects are deliriously delicious and then it's back to that 80s meet 00s chorus that i have a feeling will be very hard to get bored of. Oh VanShe ~ I'm not done with you yet (see what I did there?!)
Link: Much more Van She here and here
Axel Whitehead ~ I Don't Do Surprises:
Considering Axel is not averse to a bit of exhibitionism, his single is surprisingly restrained. That's not a bad thing - it's not all about getting your willy out you know. You have to know how to deliver the goods and this song certainly does that. Axel has a great cruisy vocal that floats around a demure melody and a soaring chorus. It's actually a lovely summery laid back pop tune and it reminds me a tiny bit of Chris Martin if he would lighten up a bit. Having said all that, I'd love to see what Axel can do if he just lets rip. Willies at the ready then...
Link: More Axel here
The Presets ~ This Boys in Love:
Ooo this is a bit intense after the other two. It reminds me vaguely of sadly failed British act Protocol (remember them? no? Boo you whores) and perhaps I like it even more after Adem's hilarious interview with the boys on his site. Not averse to a bit of gay flirting and bro-mancing, the song is a relentless electro beat with a powerful vocal delivery and some lovely plinky plonky (yes that's a technical term!) piano sounds littered carefully throughout this groovy tune. Fancy things a bit swirled around? Then be sure to check out the remixes of the song - Kims remix is particularly funky. I haven't heard anything of the boys beyond this, but I will be popping off to investigate the first album right now. For infact I have decided that they are like a more productive Dangerous Muse :P
Link: The Presets can be found here
More ozpop that I quite like right now...
- Vanessa Amorosi ~ Perfect
- Cut Copy ~ Hearts on Fire
- Delta Goodrem ~ You Will Only Break My Heart
- Muscles ~ Sweaty
oh axel ! the entire cut copy album is fab. lights and music makes me swoon...plus it was the soundtrack for my birthday ! when will van she put out the lp ?
ReplyDeleteI liked the part where Dangerous Muse doesn't make music ever.
ReplyDeleteAhhh! My beloved Van She featured on a pop website that is not mine or about their remixes for a change; it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGlossy; Album is out August 9th. Very. Exciting.
Really proud to see Aussie music being enjoyed by people abroad, especially yourself Paul. Wonderful choices you've got there, by the way ;)
Strangers is incredible. I feel quite ethereal every time i listen to it. And yes, what ever happened to dangerous muse?
ReplyDeleteI hear vanessa amowhatsit has a new album out? Have you heard it yet??
I remember Protocol! Shame they broke up :(
ReplyDeleteSome great choices here--and randomly, I was just listening to some Van She and Axel yesterday! That middle 8 on "I Don't Do Surprises" is just divine.
No offence but boring, boring, boring!!!
ReplyDeleteWhere is the stunning CC Martini, Dannii or Melissa Tkautz?!
But yeah doll, come over for a visit and I'll take you out to all the classy establishments. You know the ones that have drag queens and a degustation menu xx
Mike ~ Hey at least i didn't mention Dulta. I think! I am saving the trashier artists with magnificent appeal for part two!! Just for you! Oooh and your offer sounds divine :)
ReplyDeletePostergirl ~ yeah Protocol were rather ace were they not... and we are so in sync (occasionally) you and I!!
Ben ~ I have the new VanAm album but i have yet to listen to it. I fear nothing will match the brilliance of Shine...
Adem ~ yay! I've been meaning to feature van she for a while now, and am regretting my procrastination. Still better late than never!!
D'luv ~ be careful what you wish for, or something equally sage and wise!
Glossy ~ what adem said (re: album release!)
Vanessa 'Loch-Nessa' Amorosi does indeed have a new album out. It's been sitting on my desk for two weeks and I'm still yet to listen to it; anyone know if it's any good?
ReplyDeleteCome on Mike! They're all stellar acts!